ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part 1: Overview of the Environmental Impact Statement
1. Introduction . 1
2. The Cooperative Provincial and Federal Environmental Assessment Process...... 2
3. The Proponent. 4
4. Rationale for the Project . 5
5. Key Project Components and Activities. 10
6. Consultation Summary...... 16
7. Project Benefits...... 20
8. Potential Effects of the Project . 24 Environmental Assessment Methodology...... 24 Environmental Background...... 25
Valued Components...... 29
9. Aboriginal Groups and the Potential Impacts on their Rights and Interests ...... 32
10. Mitigation Measures...... 33
11. Proponent’s Conclusions ...... 35
Significance of Potential Residual Effects of the Project...... 35
Significance of Potential Cumulative Effects...... 36
12. Conclusion of the Environmental Impact Statement...... 38
Part 2: Summary of Valued Components...... 41
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This Executive Summary highlights the findings The Executive Summary uses concise language and conclusions of the Environmental Impact to summarize complex subjects. Readers Statement (EIS) for the Site C Project. The are referred to the full EIS for a complete summary is in two parts: Part 1 includes an understanding of these subjects. The EIS overview of the EIS and Part 2 provides a can be found at the Canadian Environmental summary of the results of the assessment for Assessment Agency (www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca) each valued component. or at the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office (www.eao.gov.bc.ca). ABOUT Site C
The Site C Clean Energy Project would be a third Subject to approvals, the Project would be a dam and generating station on the Peace River source of clean, reliable and cost-effective in northeast B.C. The Project is being proposed electricity for BC Hydro’s customers for more Site C would by BC Hydro to provide up to 1,100 megawatts than 100 years. provide clean, (MW) of capacity and about 5,100 gigawatt hours reliable power to (GWh) of energy each year to the province’s BC Hydro’s residential, integrated electricity system. commercial and industrial customers in B.C. 1. INTRODUCTION
British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority The complete information required by the EIS (BC Hydro) is proposing to construct and Guidelines is set out in the EIS in five volumes operate the Site C Clean Energy Project (the and their appendices: Project). An environmental assessment of • Volume 1 includes the Executive Summary the Project is being conducted pursuant to and Introduction, and provides information the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, about the Project and planning activities. 2012 (CEAA 2012) and the B.C. Environmental This Volume also provides the rationale Assessment Act (BCEAA). for the Project, sets out the assessment The environmental assessment of the process, and summarizes information Project is being carried out in accordance distribution and consultation activities with the Agreement to Conduct a Cooperative (Sections 1-9). Environmental Assessment, Including the • Volume 2 includes a description of Establishment of a Joint Review Panel, of the the effects assessment methodology, Site C Clean Energy Project dated February 8, a description of the environmental 2012, as amended in August 2012 (the BC/ background and potential changes, Canada Agreement). as well as the effects assessment for On September 5, 2012, in accordance with environmental valued components CEAA 2012, BCEAA and the BC/Canada (Sections 10-15). Agreement, the “Site C Clean Energy Project • Volumes 3 and 4 include the effects Environmental Impact Statement Guidelines” assessment for the economic, land and (the EIS Guidelines) were issued by the resource use, social, heritage and health Minister of Environment of Canada and the valued components (Sections 16-33). Executive Director of the Environmental Assessment Office of British Columbia. These • Volume 5 provides information on asserted guidelines set out the requirements that must or established Aboriginal rights and Treaty be met by BC Hydro in its Environmental rights, Aboriginal Interests and Information Impact Statement. Requirements, a Summary of Environmental Management Plans, and other Federal The purpose of the EIS is to meet the information requirements (Sections 34-40). requirements of the EIS Guidelines, including This volume also includes a complete list of describing the rationale for the Project, proposed mitigation measures, a summary identifying potential Project effects and of potential residual effects of the Project, benefits, and proposing measures to avoid or the significance of those potential residual mitigate effects of the Project. effects, proposed follow-up programs, and BC Hydro’s conclusion.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 1 2. The Cooperative Provincial and Federal Environmental Assessment Process
In May 2011, BC Hydro submitted the “Project Under CEAA 2012 (and formerly under CEAA), Description Report – Site C Clean Energy the Minister of Environment of Canada or Project” (the Project Description Report) the federal responsible authority, and under The environmental to the British Columbia Environmental BCEAA, the Minister of Environment of British assessment process Assessment Office (BCEAO) and the Canadian Columbia or the Executive Director, each began in August 2011 Environmental Assessment Agency (the CEA have the duty to 1) ensure that, where the and is expected to Agency). After an evaluation by the responsible environmental assessment of a project is take approximately authorities, it was determined that the Project required, an assessment is conducted, and three years. is reviewable under the BCEAA and CEAA. 2) determine the scope of the assessment The Minister of Environment of Canada and the required to meet the statutory requirements Minister of Environment of British Columbia and purposes of CEAA 2012 and of BCEAA, agreed to a cooperative environmental respectively. assessment of the Project and entered into the The EIS Guidelines, which set out the B.C./Canada Agreement in February 2012. requirements of the EIS, were finalized The agreement was amended in September following a public comment period and 2012, following a public comment period and a review by an Advisory Working Group. after the enactment of CEAA 2012. The B.C./ The Advisory Working Group includes Canada Agreement provides for three stages representatives from federal and provincial of assessment, the Pre-Panel Stage, the Joint agencies from British Columbia, Alberta and the Northwest Territories, AboriginalTsay Keh Denegroups, IR Panel Review Stage, and the Post-Panel Stage. Blueberry River IR Doig River IR This agreement also provides guidance on and local and regional governments. Blueberry River IR expected timing for each review stage.
Doig River IR
Overview of Environmental Assessment Process and Timeline Halfway River IR
Halfway River
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT TIMELINE 29 Charlie Lake
Fort St. John Pre-Panel Joint Review Panel Review of Panel Report PROPOSED SITE C RESERVOIR Taylor
Review and Report and Decision Moberly River 24 months 8 months 6 months Peace River WILLISTON RESERVOIR Pine River 97
A I B M U L O C H S I T I R B Hudson’s PROPOSED SITE C DAM Hope • Agreement on cooperative federal-provincial • Panel’s sufficiency • Draft Referral Package A T R E B L A EA process review of EIS Preparation (EAO) W.A.C. BENNETT DAM PEACE CANYON DAM • Advisory Working Group • Submissions (including • Steering Committee PROPOSED NEW 500 kV LINES ALONG EXISTING TRANSMISSION CORRIDOR • Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Guidelines from Aboriginal groups) Review (EAO, CEA Agency) DINOSAUR RESERVOIR Moberly Lake Saulteau IR • EIS (Application) • Public hearings • Decision by Ministers/ Dawson Creek • Working Group Review of EIS Guidelines and EIS • Panel report Cabinet 97 West Moberly IR • Public comment periods Pouce Coupe Chetwynd 97
ABORIGINAL CONSULTATION AND ACCOMMODATION DISCUSSIONS 52
Tsay Keh Dene IR 97
Mackenzie McLeod Lake IR
2 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 Tumbler Ridge Tsay Keh Dene IR Guiding Principles 2. Public Participation The final EIS Guidelines issued on September 5, The overall objective of public participation is 2012 include the Guiding Principles below. The best achieved when all parties have a clear EIS Guidelines provide that an environmental understanding of the proposed project as early assessment conducted in accordance with the as possible in the review process. The public will B.C./Canada Agreement and the EIS Guidelines be provided with opportunities to participate in meet the objectives of these guiding principles. the environmental assessment process.
1. Environmental Assessment 3. Aboriginal Consultation Environmental Assessment (EA) is a BCEAO and Canada are committed to working comprehensive process to identify and evaluate constructively with Aboriginal groups to ensure the potential effects of a proposed major project that the Crown fulfills its duties of consultation and ways to avoid or mitigate adverse effects. and accommodation. The proponent must ensure that it engages with Aboriginal groups that may be affected by the project, or that have asserted or established Aboriginal rights or treaty rights in the project area, as early as possible in the project planning process.
Tsay Keh Dene IR
Blueberry River IR Doig River IR Blueberry River IR
British Alberta Doig River IR Columbia
Halfway River IR
Halfway River
29 Charlie Lake
Fort St. John
PROPOSED SITE C RESERVOIR Taylor 0 5 10 15 20 25 Moberly River Peace River Kilometres WILLISTON RESERVOIR Pine River 97
A I B M U L O C H S I T I R B Hudson’s PROPOSED SITE C DAM Hope
A T R E B L A
W.A.C. BENNETT DAM PEACE CANYON DAM PROPOSED NEW 500 kV LINES ALONG EXISTING TRANSMISSION CORRIDOR DINOSAUR RESERVOIR Moberly Lake Saulteau IR Dawson Creek 97 West Moberly IR Pouce Coupe Chetwynd 97
52
Tsay Keh Dene IR 97
Mackenzie McLeod Lake IR
Tumbler Ridge 3 Tsay Keh Dene IR 3. The Proponent
BC Hydro is a Crown corporation owned by BC Hydro delivers electricity to its customers the Province of British Columbia. BC Hydro’s through a network of over 75,000 km mandate is to generate, manufacture, of transmission and distribution lines, BC Hydro serves conserve, purchase, and sell electricity to meet approximately 300 substations, 900,000 utility 95 per cent of the needs of its customers. BC Hydro serves poles, and 325,000 individual transformers. B.C.’s population, 95 per cent of B.C.’s population, delivering The system is connected to other transmission delivering electricity electricity safely and reliably to approximately systems in British Columbia, Alberta, and to approximately 1.9 1.9 million customers. Washington State, which improves the million customers. As the largest electric utility in British overall reliability of the system and provides Columbia, BC Hydro operates an integrated opportunities for trade. system with 31 hydroelectric facilities and The legislation that enables BC Hydro to three thermal generating plants, totalling carry out its mandate is the Hydro and Power approximately 12,000 MW of installed Authority Act. Under the Utilities Commission generating capacity. The hydroelectric Act, the British Columbia Utilities Commission facilities provide over 95 per cent of the total regulates public utilities, including BC Hydro. electricity generated and are located in the In addition, the BC Hydro Public Power Peace, Columbia, and Coastal regions of B.C. Legacy and Heritage Contract Act ensures BC Hydro’s own generation is complemented public ownership in perpetuity of BC Hydro’s by additional electricity purchased from transmission and distribution systems, all of independent power producers in the province BC Hydro’s existing generation and storage to meet customers’ annual needs. assets, and any future increases to the capacity and energy capability of these facilities. The Site C Project, once built, would become a heritage asset. The Clean Energy Act, S.B.C., 2010, c. 22, updated several elements included in the 2007 BC Energy Plan, and provides statutory guidance for how BC Hydro is to meet the Province’s energy objectives. B
BC Hydro GENERATION HYDROELECTRIC 22 1 Aberfeldie 11 Jordan River 22 G.M. Shrum 16 2 Alouette 12 Kootenay Canal 23 Shuswap 3 Ash River 13 Ladore 24 Spillimacheen 4 Bridge River 14 La Joie 25 Stave Falls 5 Buntzen 15 Mica 26 Strathcona 9 6 Cheakamus 16 Peace Canyon 27 Wahleach C 7 Clowhom 17 Puntledge 28 Walter Hardman 8 Elko 18 Revelstoke 29 Whatshan 9 Falls River 19 Ruskin 30 Waneta 31 10 John Hart 20 Seton 31 Clayton Falls 21 Seven Mile
15 River CONVENTIONAL NATURAL GAS Transmission Line A Burrard 18 24 4 B Fort Nelson 14 20 23 C Prince Rupert 5 2 13 A 10 7 28 25 26 17 29 19 3 6 1 21 12 8 27 30 11
4 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 4. Rationale for the Project
Purpose of the Project • Existing and committed resources: The Project is being proposed to meet Existing resources include BC Hydro’s three purposes: (1) to cost-effectively meet Heritage hydroelectric and thermal The Site C Project is resources as well as independent power BC Hydro’s forecast need for energy and required to meet producers (IPPs) currently delivering capacity, (2) to meet forecast need in alignment BC Hydro’s long term electricity to BC Hydro. Committed with the provincial policy objectives of the customer demand resources are those projects that Clean Energy Act, and relevant B.C. Government for both energy and policy statements, and (3) to cost-effectively have received regulatory or BC Hydro dependable capacity. maximize the development of the hydroelectric Board approvals. potential of the Site C Flood Reserve which was • BC Hydro’s Demand Side Management established in 1957. Target: BC Hydro plans to meet the Need for the Project majority of the load growth over the next 20 years through conservation and Forecasts show that customer demand for efficiency initiatives – generally referred to electricity is expected to increase by about 40 as demand side management (DSM). The per cent over the next 20 years. The Project is current DSM target of 7,800 GWh/yr and required to meet this projected demand and 1,400 MW is comprehensive and includes would provide energy and dependable capacity a broad range of changes to codes and for more than 100 years. standards, rate structures, and DSM BC Hydro must plan in advance to meet programs that provide BC Hydro customers its customers’ residential, business and in all market segments with an opportunity industrial requirements and to ensure that the to participate. electricity resources required are available • Uncertainties in load growth: BC Hydro’s when required. The Project, like other large electricity demand can fluctuate from year hydroelectric projects, has a long lead time to year depending on weather conditions, prior to the Project in-service date due to economic activity, population growth and the lengthy construction period and the consumer habits, among other factors. requirement for design work, stakeholder The mid-load forecast used for planning engagement, and regulatory review. purposes is constructed so that there is an BC Hydro evaluates the following factors in its equal probability that actual load could be planning process: higher or lower than the mid-load forecast. • Current and forecast BC Hydro customer BC Hydro’s load forecasting methodology has been the subject of independent review electricity load: Load is the amount in a number of B.C. Utilities Commission of electricity required by a BC Hydro (BCUC) regulatory proceedings, and the customer or group of customers. The BCUC has accepted BC Hydro’s load residential, commercial and industrial forecasting methodology. sectors each consume approximately one- third of BC Hydro’s total electricity sales. BC Hydro annually prepares 20-year load forecasts for both energy (GWh) and peak power (MW) demand. The energy forecast represents the forecast total annual electricity demand on the integrated system and the peak power forecast represents the one-hour maximum power demand on the integrated system.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 5 • Potential load from liquefied natural gas facilities: The export of liquefied natural gas (LNG) is an emerging sector in British Columbia’s economy. There are several potential LNG projects proposed or under discussion which would require some service from BC Hydro. The need for the Project is established using a load forecast that does not include any load associated with new LNG facilities because the requirements of the facilities have not yet been confirmed by proponents. However, • Resource deliverability risk: All new additional demand from these facilities resources have some degree of delivery would increase the load forecast and could risk. There is the risk that contracted IPPs accelerate the need for new generation will not come into service. There is also resources in B.C. the risk that existing Energy Purchase The tables below show the forecast energy and Agreements with IPPs will not be renewed capacity deficits over the next 10 to 20 years. upon expiry. In addition, some of the These deficits are shown both with and without potential technologies under consideration the DSM target and the implementation of in the EIS, such as pumped storage Revelstoke Unit 6 (a sixth generating unit being generation, have not been developed added to an existing BC Hydro facility, “Rev 6”). in B.C. and, therefore, the delivery of These tables also show the potential impact these resources is uncertain. Finally, of both the low and high scenarios of potential BC Hydro’s DSM target is aggressive and non-compression load from new LNG facilities. entails delivery risk because it relies on customer behaviour changes which are more challenging in a low rate environment like British Columbia. This may cause the projected energy and capacity savings from the DSM target to fall short of target within the specified time frame.
Energy Deficit (Surplus) in GWh
No DSM or Rev 6 With DSM & Rev 6 With DSM, Rev 6, With DSM, Rev 6, Year No LNG Load No LNG Load and Low LNG Load and High LNG Load 2022 7,200 (1,000) (100) 5,600 2026 10,000 1,000 1,600 7,300 2031 15,000 3,800 4,600 10,400 Note: 1. All values rounded to nearest hundred
Capacity Deficit (Surplus) in MW
No DSM or Rev 6 With DSM & Rev 6 With DSM, Rev 6, With DSM, Rev 6, Year No LNG Load No LNG Load and Low LNG Load and High LNG Load 2022 1,650 (250) (200) 500 2026 2,350 200 300 1,000 2031 3,200 950 1,000 1,700 Note: 1. All values rounded to nearest fifty
6 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 New Energy and Dependable Capacity In order to evaluate the Project compared to Required other resource options, BC Hydro developed Based on the load resource balance analysis, several portfolios of Available Resources new resources are required to meet the energy that would provide comparable energy and and dependable capacity needs of BC Hydro capacity to the Project. These portfolios of customers within the next 10 to 15 years, even resources take into account the relevant policy when taking into account BC Hydro’s DSM target context, including the legislative requirements and Revelstoke Unit 6, and excluding load from of the Clean Energy Act. The portfolios were LNG facilities. The addition of non-compression established using three sets of assumptions LNG load served by BC Hydro, lower than regarding Available Resources: expected DSM results, or higher than expected • Site C Portfolios: These portfolios include attrition of IPP contracts, would accelerate the the Project, with the remaining energy and need for new resources. capacity gap being filled using clean or renewable generation resources. Alternatives to the Project • Clean Generation Portfolios: These Government policy and legislation provide a portfolios were created using Available framework within which BC Hydro develops Resources that would be clean or resources and aligns planning for forecast renewable. In these portfolios, the energy demand. This policy sets aggressive and capacity that would be provided by the conservation and DSM targets with enabling Project is replaced by a combination of rate structures, encourages investments in energy resources (such as wind, run-of- existing heritage asset facilities, precludes river, and biomass resources) and capacity development of nuclear power and limits resources (pumped storage). thermal generation and GHG emissions. • Clean + Thermal Generation Portfolios: BC Hydro’s analysis of the potential alternatives In these portfolios, the energy that to the Project is contained in two parts: Site C would provide is replaced by clean • An overview of the identification and review or renewable generation resources, while process for screening potential alternatives the capacity the Project would provide is to the Project. The screening process replaced by thermal generation resources identifies the resources that were screened in the form of simple-cycle gas turbines out because they are either legislatively (SCGTs) and pumped storage. barred or not technically or economically feasible in B.C. • An overview of the available alternatives and their attributes (Available Resources). The Available Resources are supply-side resources that, when used in various combinations, can meet the forecast need and include (1) clean or renewable IPPs, including wind, run of river hydro, biomass, pumped storage, and geothermal; (2) BC Hydro Resource Smart potential; and (3) clean or renewable IPPs and / or Resource Smart combined with some natural gas-fired generation. Natural gas- fired generation is constrained by the Clean Energy Act to generate at least 93 per cent of the electricity in British Columbia from clean or renewable resources.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 7 Comparison of Attributes have a higher level of accuracy as compared BC Hydro compared the financial, technical, to the alternatives. The portfolios without environmental and economic development the Project are populated with forecast attributes between the portfolios with and “typical” projects with estimated footprints. without the Project. These attributes are high In addition, for many resources such as level and appropriate for use in comparing the natural gas and biomass, the attributes only resource options at a portfolio level, but are not include the result of the primary generation suitable for direct numerical comparison. site and do not include the footprint for fuel extraction activities. The fuel footprint • Technical Attributes: The portfolios used is included for run-of-river hydro and for to compare alternatives to the Project were the Project. As a result, the differences in constructed in order to have similar overall environmental attributes between portfolios technical attributes. Therefore, each shown in this section compare a defined portfolio was built to have approximately attribute for the Project to a representative 5,100 GWh of average annual energy and estimate for alternative resources. 1,100 MW of dependable capacity. While the table (top of page 9) includes • Financial Attributes: The analysis numerical values for the environmental compared the present value of portfolio attributes, the actual difference between costs, and the adjusted unit energy cost portfolios would also depend on the mix (UEC) between portfolios with and without of clean resources (wind, run of river and the Project. The portfolio UEC represents biomass) included in the portfolios of the present value of the amount ratepayers renewable resources used for comparison would pay per unit of energy delivered as with the Project. shown in the table below. This is a proxy for the life-cycle financial benefits from Based on these portfolio compositions, the the selection of the Site C portfolio over comparison of environmental attributes alternative resource options. The UEC shows that the Site C portfolio could have analysis showed that the Site C portfolio a larger land and freshwater footprint than provided material ratepayer savings other portfolios. However, the land and compared to the Clean Generation portfolio stream footprint of the Site C reservoir and the Clean + Thermal Generation represent a conversion of habitat from portfolio. The ability to gradually introduce terrestrial and river environments to a thermal resources may reduce the cost of reservoir environment and not a loss of the Clean + Thermal portfolio to that of the productive environment. This may not be Site C portfolio. the case with other portfolios of alternative resources. Portfolios including the Project • Environmental Attributes: BC Hydro used would have lower GHG emissions during planning-level information to compare operations than both portfolios not portfolios with and without the Project including the Project. Portfolios including based on their environmental attributes. the Project would also have lower local air Because of the advanced level of project emissions than both portfolios not including definition for the Project, the environmental the Project. attributes related to the Project footprint
Financial Attribute Comparison
Clean Alternatives Clean + Thermal Site C Portfolio Portfolio Portfolio Adjusted Unit Energy Cost 110 181 156 ($/MWh, F2013 dollars)
8 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 Environmental Attribute Comparison (Operations only) Site C provides the Site C Clean Alternatives Clean + Thermal best combination of Environmental Attribute Portfolio Portfolio Portfolio financial, technical, Land Footprint (ha) 5,660 2,230 2,430 environmental and Affected Stream Length (km) 125 15 15 economic attributes Operational GHG Emissions 0 200 650 to meet BC Hydro’s (tonnes per year, 000s) need for energy and Oxides of 0 0.5 0.6 capacity. Local Air Emissions Nitrogen (tonnes/year, 000s) Carbon 0 0.4 1.3 Monoxide
* Planning-level analysis only includes GHG emissions due only to fuel combustion during operations. An analysis of the life-cycle GHG emissions from the Project is included in Volume 2 Section 15 of the EIS and summarized in the Project Benefits section of this Executive Summary.
• Economic Development Attributes: Rationale for Project Selection Portfolios with and without the Project There is a need for new energy and capacity were compared based on their economic resources within the next 10 to 15 years to development attributes, including jobs and meet the electricity needs of BC Hydro’s gross domestic product (GDP). customers. Portfolios including the Project deliver BC Hydro has an obligation to meet this additional economic development during customer demand, and has evaluated a range construction as compared to portfolios of different options to do so. without the Project. Jobs and GDP related to construction are higher for Based on the analysis of alternative the Site C portfolio due to the high job resource options, the Project provides the intensity during the Project construction best combination of financial, technical, period. Jobs and GDP during operations environmental, and economic development are expected to be lower for the portfolio attributes and is, therefore, the preferred including the Project as a result of the option to meet the need for energy and capacity Project’s low operating costs. within BC Hydro’s planning horizon.
Economic Development Attribute Comparison
Site C Clean Alternatives Clean + Thermal Portfolio Portfolio Portfolio Construction Jobs* (total jobs) 44,250 33,230 28,520 Construction GDP (millions) $3,530 $2,610 $2,230 Operations Jobs* (jobs per year) 70 1,180 1,020
* The job estimates in this table used a high-level planning methodology to enable a comparison of jobs across portfolios. The EIS contains a more detailed jobs estimate for the Project.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 9 5. Key Project Components and Activities
Dam Type: Earthfill dam
Reservoir Access Road Height: 60 metres above riverbed Length: 1,050 metres Diversion Tunnel Inlet Energy: 5,100 GWh/yr. Transmission Lines Earthfill Dam Capacity: 1,100 MW
Reservoir Approach Channel Generating Diversion Tunnel Outlet Total Reservoir Surface Area: Station Approximately 9,330 hectares Auxiliary Spillway
Spillway Total Flooded Land: Approximately 5,550 hectares Length: 83 kilometres Width: 2-3 times the current river Access Road (on average)
Artist rendering of the proposed Site C dam and generating station (January 2013)
The proposed Project is a third dam and • A generating station, consisting of power The design of the hydroelectric generating station on the Peace intakes, penstocks (large pipes that River in northeast B.C. Key components and convey the water from the intakes to the proposed Project activities are described below. powerhouse) and six unit powerhouse; includes upgrades related to foundation • A spillway with seven gates and a free stability, seismic A. Dam, generating station, overflow auxiliary spillway to discharge protection, and spillways inflows that exceed the capacity of the generating station; spillway safety and The main components of the dam, generating generating capacity. station and spillways are: • A lined approach channel to convey water • A left (north) bank stabilization: a large from the reservoir to the power intakes and excavation to remove unstable materials the spillways; and from the bank above the earthfill dam and • Three 500 kV transmission lines to conduct flatten the slope for long-term stability electricity from the generating station to a • Two diversion tunnels used for river diversion new substation near the dam site. during construction; • An earthfill dam across the river valley abutting onto bedrock on the north bank and a buttress of roller compacted concrete (RCC) on the south bank; • An RCC buttress that would support the south wall of the valley and provide an abutment for the earthfill dam and the foundation for the generating station and spillways;
10 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 Technical Specifications and Due Diligence An understanding of the consequences of The earthfill dam, RCC buttress, power intakes, dam failure underlies several principles in spillway headworks and associated training the Canadian Dam Association (CDA) Dam walls would impound the reservoir. These Safety Guidelines and is used to establish two structures would be designed and constructed principle design criteria: the inflow design to international and Canadian standards to flood, and the earthquake design ground withstand normal loads, including self-weight, motion. BC Hydro has adopted the highest dam reservoir and tailwater loads, internal water classification for the Project. This results in pressures due to seepage, ice, temperatures, the most robust standard for the inflow design and the interaction between the bedrock and flood and earthquake design ground motion. the structures. In addition to normal loads, BC Hydro will develop emergency and extreme scenarios were considered in the operations plans for the Project that follow the design and construction, including loads from CDA Dam Safety Guidelines and comply with events such as major floods and earthquakes. BC Dam Safety Regulations. The Project design incorporates redundant Following industry practice for large scale systems that reduce risk and facilitate safe hydroelectric projects, the Project has an operation of the facility. established international Technical Advisory BC Hydro has studied how local conditions Board that has provided technical advice and natural hazards, such as severe and/ on the Project engineering and design. The or extreme weather conditions and external members of the Site C Technical Advisory events, could adversely affect the Project. Board are globally recognized for their The assessment includes the following knowledge and experience with the design of environmental factors: extreme weather hydroelectric projects around the world. The events, sedimentation of the reservoir, seismic Technical Advisory Board meets to review key activity, wildfire, flooding, low flow or drought design milestones and will continue to provide conditions, slope stability and mass wasting input to the Project as it progresses through events, and climate change. implementation and final design.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 11 C. Substation and The Project would Transmission Lines to generate approximately Peace Canyon Dam 35 per cent of the The generating station would be connected energy produced at the to a new substation located to the southeast W.A.C. Bennett Dam, of the generating station. Two new 500 kV with about five per cent alternating current transmission lines would connect the new substation to the of the reservoir area. existing Peace Canyon substation, which is the point of interconnection of the Project to Existing right-of-way between the Peace Canyon dam and Site C. the bulk transmission system, a distance of approximately 77 km. These new lines would be located within and immediately adjacent B. Reservoir to an existing right-of-way which is currently The Project would create an 83 km long occupied by two existing 138 kV transmission reservoir that would be on average two to lines, which run from the G.M. Shrum three times the width of the current river. The generating station at W.A.C. Bennett Dam to reservoir would be a maximum of 55 m deep supply electricity to Fort St. John and Taylor. at the deepest section at the earthfill dam. The The Site C substation would include 500 kV maximum normal operating range between to 138 kV step-down transformers to provide the maximum normal reservoir level and the service to Fort St. John, Taylor and the region, minimum normal reservoir level would be and allow for the removal of the existing 138 kV 1.8 m. However, most of the time, it is expected lines. This configuration will improve system that the reservoir would be operated in the top reliability as the connection to the transmission 0.6 m of the range. The Site C reservoir would system will be closer and would reduce have one of the smallest fluctuations in the transmission system energy losses. BC Hydro system.
12 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 Highway 29 crossing at Farrell Creek
D. Highway 29 Realignment E. Quarried and Excavated Highway 29 connects Hudson’s Hope to Fort Construction Materials St. John and runs along the north side of the A variety of quarried and excavated materials Peace River. It is a two-lane rural arterial would be required for construction of the dam, undivided highway under the jurisdiction generating station and spillways, Highway 29 of the BC Ministry of Transportation and realignments, access roads and the reservoir Infrastructure (BCMoTI). Creation of the shoreline protection at the community of reservoir will require realignment of Hudson’s Hope near the upstream end of approximately 30 km of existing highway at the reservoir. These materials would be Lynx Creek, Dry Creek, Farrell Creek, Farrell sourced from various locations in the Project Creek East, Halfway River and Cache Creek. vicinity. These materials would generally be transported from the sources to the construction sites by highway-rated trucks on public roads. Some quarried materials could be transported by rail to the dam site. On-site materials refer to materials that would be sourced at the construction site, and come from excavations required for construction of Project components or from a location within the boundaries of the site. On-site materials will be used to the greatest extent possible.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 13 F. Worker Accommodation Small temporary camps are planned for the reservoir clearing and road construction BC Hydro is planning for provision of worker activities. One camp would be on the south bank Temporary camp accommodation during construction. BC Hydro in the vicinity of the access road construction accommodations estimates it will generate approximately near the upper Jackfish Lake Road area and the and facilities for the 10,000 person-years of direct employment other in the vicinity of Hudson’s Hope. construction phase during the construction period. The estimated are planned for the average annual construction phase workforce dam site. on-site would be approximately 800 workers, with a peak of 1,700 (with contingency up to 2,100) workers in year five of construction. Approximately 90 per cent of the workforce would be required for construction activities at the dam site. About 10 per cent of the workforce would be required for off-site construction activities, including Highway 29 realignment, Hudson’s Hope shoreline protection construction, road works, clearing, material transport, and transmission line construction. Jackfish Lake Road south of Fort St. John. Temporary camp accommodations and facilities
for the construction phase are planned for the G. Road and Rail Access dam site, on both the north and south banks Temporary and permanent access roads would of the Peace River in close proximity to the be required for the construction and operation of work sites. Temporary accommodations would the Project, respectively. Where feasible, existing be removed at the end of the construction access roads would be used and upgraded phase and sites would be reclaimed. Options as required. The design for new construction to re-purpose some of the temporary camp and upgrades to public roads would be in facilities are also under consideration. accordance with applicable British Columbia BC Hydro is also planning to build approximately and Canadian guidelines, codes, supplements, 40 new permanent housing units for use by the and technical circulars. construction workforce in the Fort St. John area, An existing CN rail line passes close to the dam plus up to 10 new affordable housing units for site on the south bank. The existing Septimus use by the community in partnership with BC Siding near the dam site will be upgraded. It Housing. Following the construction period, all is anticipated that most of the bulk materials of the units would become part of the long-term required for construction such as cement, fly housing stock in the area and be provided to the ash and fuel will be transported to the site community for affordable housing. by rail.
Artist’s conceptual rendering of worker accommodation.
14 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 H. Construction Activities Environmental and safety Project activities include those activities management plans The Project is the required for construction and operation of A framework for environmental and safety preferred means the Project. This includes site preparation, management has been developed for activities of cost-effectively clearing, transportation of materials, during construction and operation of the maximizing the excavation, relocation of materials, placement Project. The framework is consistent with development of the of concrete, fabrication of penstocks, erection existing BC Hydro policies and practices hydroelectric potential of buildings, the installation of mechanical and and is based on standard environmental and of the Site C Flood electrical equipment, reservoir preparation, safety management principles. The purpose of Reserve. road modifications, traffic management and environmental and safety management plans decommissioning activities. is to protect the health and safety of the public The construction of the dam, generating and workers, and to ensure that measures station and spillways would be carried out in recommended to mitigate the potential adverse four stages: effects of the Project are implemented. • Preliminary works Alternative means of • River channelization carrying out the project • River diversion • Reservoir filling and commissioning BC Hydro has conducted a number of evaluations of alternate means to develop The preliminary works would include site the hydroelectric potential of the Site C preparation, construction of some temporary Flood Reserve. This work is consolidated in access roads, and construction and setup of the a comprehensive study, Review of Alternate temporary facilities required for construction of Sites on the Peace River, which reviews the permanent works. previously identified alternates, and any new Cofferdams would be constructed on the alternates, and compares them to the Project north and south banks to confine the river to using a consistent evaluation process. The its main channel. Once the cofferdams have evaluation framework considered multiple been completed, the water on the inside of the project attributes including technical, financial, cofferdams would be pumped out to dewater environmental and social for each alternative or dry out the area where excavation and and compared them with the Project’s construction activities would take place. The attributes. cofferdams would isolate the work areas from The conclusion of the alternates study is the river. A temporary construction bridge that the Project is the preferred means of would be constructed across the Peace River cost-effectively maximizing the development between the cofferdams. The diversion tunnels of the hydroelectric potential of the Site C would be constructed on the north bank behind Flood Reserve. the cofferdams. After completion of the diversion tunnels, the Peace River would be diverted through the tunnels, and the main river channel would be blocked off with cofferdams in order to isolate the area where the earthfill dam would be constructed across the Peace River. The temporary bridge would be removed after access is available across the earthfill dam. Reservoir filling would take place near the end of construction.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 15 6. Consultation Summary
BC Hydro has also consulted with other Treaty 8 First Nations who are located in B.C. or downstream of the Project. This includes BC Hydro began those Treaty 8 First Nations in Alberta, in consultation with proximity to the Peace River Watershed, and Aboriginal groups those in proximity to the Slave River through about the Site C Project Alberta and into the Northwest Territories. in late 2007. Consultations with Aboriginal groups located away from the Project activity zone have focused on the potential downstream changes resulting from the Project. Consultation has also included the Tsay Keh Dene Band and Aboriginal Group Kwadacha First Nation to fulfill commitments Information Distribution in formal agreements with those First Nations. and Consultation BC Hydro began consultation with Aboriginal groups about the Project in late 2007, before NORTHWEST Yellowknife any decision to advance the Project to an !. NUNAVUT environmental assessment. BC Hydro has TERRITORIES conducted consultation with Aboriginal groups regarding Project components and activities, Great Slave ! the potential effects of the Project, and the Lake YUKON Deninu K'ue ive r TERRITORY R S potential changes to the environment resulting r d l FN ia a L v from the Project. BC Hydro has also supported e MANITOBA R i Salt River v consultation with Aboriginal groups as part e FN #195 r Fort Smith of the environmental assessment process, !. a a s c including the review of the draft EIS Guidelines. Smith's a b t h Landing FN A e Through the course of the consultation to k a L date, Aboriginal groups have raised issues, Fort Chipewyan
. Dene R Métis concerns, and interests. BC Hydro has Fort y Tha' a (! H Beaver responded to Aboriginal groups as information Nelson FN Mikisew FN v e r FN Little Red River Ri Cree ce Lake was available, and has developed a process for Fort Nelson Cree FN Pe a Claire !. FN Athabasca addressing outstanding issues, concerns and Chipewyan FN interests. BC Hydro intends to continue to use Tallcree Tallcree (! FN this approach, should the Project proceed to Paddle. W R FN Prophet r a
a Prairie e b g v a
construction and operation. i River FN n Métis s . a R c R h a r c e e BRITISH R . t n c R a i . w BC Hydro has consulted in greater depth a a r h s c C l e a ALASKA C ba SASKATCHEWAN COLUMBIA P e a with Treaty 8 First Nations that are in close Tsay Keh Blueberry Ath Dene Woodland proximity to the Project and whose members River FN Doig Cree FN W stoliil nRes er v oi r may experience effects from the Project. For Halfway River FN Peace River the purposes of this EIS, Blueberry River River FN Fort St. John !. !. Horse P e a c e W.A.C. BENNETT R First Nations, McLeod Lake Indian Band, PEACE CANYON DAM Lake. DAM " " Duncan's Saulteau FN FN . Dawson Creek R Saulteau First Nations and the Treaty 8 Tribal !. FN e West Chetwynd y S l a v L !. k e r . o L e s s Moberly S m Association (representing Doig River, Halfway Kelly Lake Mackenzie FN !. ! Grande Prairie River, Prophet River and West Moberly First Métis !. Cold Lake Settlement !. Nations), are considered by BC Hydro to be Sturgeon PACIFIC McLeod Lake Society “Project Area Aboriginal Groups”. Lake Cree FN Nation ALBERTA OCEAN
Prince George Edmonton !. !.
16 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013
!.
!.
!. Consultation has also been carried out with BC Hydro has tracked the issues, concerns four Métis groups located in Alberta and the and interests identified by Aboriginal groups Northwest Territories. In addition, the CEA through the consultation process in a Agency directed BC Hydro to consult with two comprehensive log and data base. A summary Métis organizations in B.C. of these issues, concerns and interests and BC Hydro has negotiated consultation BC Hydro’s corresponding consideration agreements that provide funding to facilitate and response, as well as where the issue Aboriginal participation in the consultation is addressed in the EIS, is provided in an process. As of the end of November 2012, and issues tracking table in the EIS. The issues dating back to 2008, BC Hydro has provided identified by Aboriginal groups also informed approximately $8.5 million in capacity funding the selection of valued components and were to Aboriginal groups to engage on the Project, considered in the development of each of the including $1.3 million to support traditional effects assessment chapters. land use studies.
NORTHWEST Yellowknife !. NUNAVUT TERRITORIES
Great Slave ! Lake YUKON Deninu K'ue ive r TERRITORY R S r d l FN ia a L v e MANITOBA
R i Salt River v e FN #195 r Fort Smith !. a a s c Smith's a b t h Landing FN A e k a L Fort Chipewyan
. Dene R Métis Fort y Tha' a (! H Beaver Nelson FN Mikisew FN v e r FN Little Red River Ri Cree ce Lake Fort Nelson Cree FN Pe a Claire !. FN Athabasca Chipewyan FN Tallcree Tallcree (! FN Paddle. W R FN Prophet r a
a Prairie e b g v a River FN n i Métis s . a R c R Kwadacha h a r c e e BRITISH R . t n c R a i . w a a r h s c C l e a ALASKA C ba SASKATCHEWAN COLUMBIA P e a Tsay Keh Blueberry Ath Dene River Woodland FN Doig Cree FN W stoliil nRes er v oi r Halfway River FN Peace River River FN Fort St. John !. !. Horse P e a c e W.A.C. BENNETT R LEGEND PEACE CANYON DAM Lake. DAM " " Duncan's Saulteau FN FN . Dawson Creek R !. FN e Métis Settlement West Chetwynd y S l a v L !. k e r . o L e s s Moberly S m Indian Reserve or Settlement Kelly Lake Mackenzie FN !. ! Grande Prairie Treaty 8 (B.C. Interpretation) Métis !. Cold Lake Settlement !. Sturgeon Treaty 8 (Canada Interpretation) PACIFIC McLeod Lake Society Lake Cree McLeod Lake Indian Ban Treaty 8 FN ALBERTA Nation Settlement Agreement Boundary OCEAN
Prince George Edmonton !. !.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 17
!.
!.
!. Public Information The project team Distribution and led or participated Consultation in more than 500 Comprehensive consultation with the public consultation meetings, – including local and regional governments, presentations, local communities, stakeholders, property owners government meetings, and the general public – has taken place since community events or 2007. This consultation includes BC Hydro- open houses. led consultation, as well as agency-led public comment periods as part of the environmental assessment process. Since 2007, the Project team led or participated Broad public notification and advertising in more than 500 consultation meetings, was undertaken to advise the public of presentations, local government meetings, consultation opportunities. This notification community events or open houses. BC Hydro included thousands of emails, print and has also responded to approximately 3,000 radio advertising, household mailers and inquiries received via email, in-person at information to BC Hydro customers through bill the consultation offices, or through written inserts. Further, province-wide public opinion submissions, which are in addition to research results from July 2012 demonstrate information requests made as part of the public support for the Project with 77 per cent environmental assessment process. of those surveyed saying that they would be comfortable with Site C, provided it underwent BC Hydro has documented all of its an extensive and independent environmental consultation activities, most of which assessment that is approved at the end of are posted to the Project website at the process. www.bchydro.com/sitec, including discussion guides, feedback forms, and Project The EIS includes detailed issue tracking information updates. A key component of the tables that summarize the issues, concerns consultation process has been the independent and interests raised by the public since 2007 reporting of the meeting notes and preparation and describe how BC Hydro has considered of consultation summary reports. and responded to the issues raised by the public and how this input has informed Project planning.
18 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 Agency Information The Federal Authorities and BCEAO reviewed Distribution and and considered the documents in the response package and issued a third draft of the EIS Consultation Guidelines for public review and comment BCEAO and the CEA Agency also conduct on April 10, 2012. During the public review consultation throughout the environmental process, BC Hydro responded to a further 912 assessment process. Summary information submissions which included 1,388 specific outlining the engagement with federal and comments or questions. The CEA Agency and provincial agencies is presented in the EIS, BCEAO considered BC Hydro’s responses, including a summary of issues, concerns public comments, and advice from the Advisory and interests raised during agency-led Working Group prior to issuing the final EIS consultations. Guidelines on September 5, 2012. BC Hydro submitted draft EIS Guidelines to the Once the EIS is filed, the regulators will Advisory Working Group for review in January facilitate a review and comment period 2012. During the review period, the Advisory with the Advisory Working Group and the Working Group provided 26 submissions public, following the provisions in the BC/ totaling 1,007 comments, suggestions, and Canada Agreement. requests to the CEA Agency and BCEAO. BC Hydro responded to these information requests, and its response package included a revised draft of the EIS Guidelines, reflecting review comments provided by the Working Group and BC Hydro’s responses.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 19 7. Project Benefits
The Project would provide important benefits to West Pine and Wuthrich quarries would British Columbians and Canada. Key benefits be expanded and Portage Mountain quarry described below include providing energy, development will be specifically developed for Construction and dependable capacity and flexibility, regional the Project and available for production after the operation of the economic development, job creation and Project is constructed. A surplus of 2.9 million Project would generate increased government revenues, as well as cubic metres of rock would be available for economic benefits at benefits for communities and First Nations. use by B.C. Ministry of Transportation and the local, provincial, Infrastructure and others in the region. and federal level. Economic Development Benefits:Construction and operation of the Project would generate economic benefits at the local, provincial, and federal level due to the purchase of goods and services for construction, operations and sustaining capital investment. These purchases would result in an increase in output from supplier industries, GDP, and household income. Economic development during the construction period is expected to add $3.2 billion to the provincial GDP.
Economic Development Benefits from Site C
Total Increase During Total Increase During Operations Construction ($ millions) ($ millions per year) Regional GDP 130 0.4 Output 320 1.1 Household Income 80 0.3 Provincial (including Regional) GDP 3,230 7.0 Output 3,020 13.5 Household Income 2,230 4.9 Federal Imports from Other Provinces 580 1.8
20 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 Employment Benefits:Construction of the spending on environmental monitoring, Project would create approximately 10,000 purchases from supplier industries, and direct construction jobs, and approximately sustaining capital activities for the facility. The 33,000 total jobs through all stages of table below shows the expected employment Construction of development and construction. In addition, the benefits during both the construction and the Project would Project is expected to provide 25 permanent operations periods. create approximately direct full-time positions during operations, 10,000 direct with additional employment resulting from construction jobs.
Estimated Employment Provided by Site C
Indirect and Total Direct Jobs Induced Jobs Employment Development and Construction Phase (person years) Development Phase 2,200 1,500 3,700 Construction Phase 10,200 19,100 29,300 Total Jobs Prior to In-Service Date 12,400 20,600 33,000 Operations Phase (average person-years per year) Operations and Maintenance 25 65 90 Sustaining Capital (levelized) 35 40 75 Total Employment After In-Service Date 60 105 160
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 21 Economic Benefits to Aboriginal Groups The Project would help reduce uncertainty The Project would be and Local Communities: Aboriginal groups in customer rates, as the Project’s operating costs would be stable and predictable and a clean, renewable and local communities would benefit from the economic development and employment because the majority of costs are incurred and reliable power provided by the Project. BC Hydro is working during construction and development. resource that would to encourage Aboriginal and local participation provide cost-effective The Project has a dependable capacity of through investments in training and education long-term energy and 1,100 MW, which is flexible and can vary its and promotion of job opportunities within the generation within a short period of time to match dependable capacity to local community. instantaneous demands of BC Hydro customers ratepayers. Benefit Agreements and the system as a whole. This flexibility allows the Project to facilitate the integration of Aboriginal groups and local communities would additional wind generation into the system while benefit from additional economic and social maintaining system reliability by providing power initiatives that are documented in the EIS and that can quickly respond to variations. described in Part 2 of this summary. BC Hydro is committed to continuing to negotiate Benefits to Taxpayers:The Project would a benefits agreement with Peace region provide benefits to taxpayers in the form of communities and impact benefits agreements additional revenues to federal, provincial, and with some Aboriginal groups. local levels of government. Construction of Benefits to Ratepayers:The Project would Site C would result in a total of $486 million be a clean, renewable and reliable power for all three levels of government through resource that would provide cost-effective taxation revenues generated by the Project. long-term energy and dependable capacity Once operational, the Project would contribute to ratepayers. The Project would produce an $43 million annually to provincial and local average of 5,100 GWh per year and 1,100 MW governments through grants-in-lieu of of dependable capacity at a lower cost than taxes, school taxes, and water rental fees, in portfolios of other resource options, for the addition to a return on equity and contribution asset life of more than 100 years. to dividend to the Province each year ($220 million in the first year of operations).
Summary of Government Revenues (selected years) (F2012 $millions)
Construction Period Operations Period Total Year 1 Year 5 Year 10 Year 25 Year 50 Local Revenues 40 2 2 2 2 2 Provincial Revenues 176 260 230 200 135 75 Federal Revenues 270 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1
Environmental, Social, and Sustainability Benefits:The Project provides sustainable development benefits by optimizing the use of existing hydroelectric facilities delivering approximately 35 per cent of the energy produced at the W.A.C. Bennett Dam, with only five per cent of the reservoir area.
22 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 The Project provides other environmental and • There would be long-term benefits social benefits. Some examples include: from road and highway infrastructure The Project would have among the • The Project would have among the lowest improvements completed as part of the lowest emissions emissions of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) per Project. On some routes – such as Highway unit of energy produced over the Project 29 North, Jackfish Lake Road and Old of Greenhouse Gas life compared to other forms of electricity Fort Road – implementation of mitigation (GHG) per unit of generation. The table below illustrates measures and construction of road energy produced that emissions from the Project would be improvements would improve road safety. compared to other comparable to other renewable sources forms of electricity such as wind and run-of-river hydro. generation.
Comparison of GHG Emissions intensity
Average Generating Facility Type (g CO2e/kWh) Site C Clean Energy Project 8 Canadian Boreal Hydroelectric 36 Tropical Hydroelectric 2,150 Model Coal 1,000 Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (Coal) 798 Diesel 717 Natural Gas Combined Cycle 545 Solar Photovoltaic 58 Wind Turbines 14
• The new proposed substation would In summary, the Project would provide a wide provide improved system reliability for range of benefits. Businesses and workers BC Hydro customers in the Project area who are involved with the construction and/ by being more closely connected to the or operations of the Project would receive transmission system. benefits through employment and economic • The Project would create a 9,300 hectare development. BC Hydro customers would reservoir, which would result in a 230 per receive benefits through the cost-effective cent increase (3.3 fold) in fish habitat area energy and capacity generated by the Project, compared to the current river environment. and through the low risk of future increases This increase in fish habitat area and in the Project cost of energy. All British the change from a river to a reservoir Columbians and Canadians would receive environment would be accompanied benefits through increased government by an increase in certain areas of revenues both during the construction and aquatic productivity. operations phases of the projects. Finally, the Project would contribute to sustainable • Fishing opportunities during operations development through its optimization of are expected to increase over baseline existing BC Hydro hydroelectric facilities conditions as the Site C reservoir would on the Peace River, and through its low support increased boating and angling use, greenhouse gas emissions intensity. and would continue to support sport fish. • Water-based recreation is expected to increase in the reservoir after construction compared to the base-case as a result of greater potential access by a variety of boats.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 23 8. Potential Effects of the Project
interaction was identified it was carried forward to the third step. The third step was to determine whether the effects on a candidate VC could be effectively assessed under a separate, related, or more appropriate VC. If this was not the case, that candidate VC was identified as a VC for the effects assessment. Spatial boundaries for each VC delineate areas within which the potential effects of the Project on VCs have been assessed. Scientific justification for the selection of relevant spatial boundaries is included for each VC. Environmental Assessment Temporal boundaries have also been set for the Methodology assessment of potential effects on each VC and span construction and operations. BC Hydro conducted a comprehensive study of baseline conditions and background The baseline conditions for each VC are information to prepare for the effects described in the EIS and include the relevant assessment of the Project. Multi-year planning legal framework, how information from the and technical studies were conducted and public and Aboriginal traditional knowledge the findings are included in a large number of has been considered where provided, the technical data reports that are appended to the information sources and methods used to EIS. This work was completed as a preliminary collect baseline data, and a description of step in the effects assessment process. With baseline conditions. this information, it was possible to identify and For each VC, the assessment of the potential assess the potential effects of the Project on effects for each of the Project components and valued components (VCs). activities during construction and operations Valued components are aspects of the is based on a comparison of the biophysical Project’s biophysical and human setting and human environments between the that are considered important by Aboriginal predicted future conditions with the Project groups, the public, the scientific community, and the predicted future conditions without the and government agencies. For the purpose of Project. Potential adverse effects on the VC are formal effects assessment in British Columbia, described in the EIS along with technically and VCs are categorized under five “pillars”: 1) economically feasible mitigation measures, environmental, 2) economic, 3) social, 4) their potential effectiveness, as well as heritage, and 5) health, which are referred to in specific follow-up and related commitments the BCEAA. The term “valued components” in for implementation. the EIS incorporates and is consistent with the If there is a residual effect on a VC, the effect federal government’s terminology of “valued is evaluated for significance. Residual effects ecosystem components”. are characterized using criteria related to VCs were identified in a three-step process. In direction, magnitude, geographic extent, the first step, candidate valued components duration, frequency, reversibility, context, level were identified based on the interests and of confidence and probability in accordance concerns raised by government agencies, with the EIS Guidelines. Aboriginal groups, and the public, and input A summary of the VCs, potential Project provided by the CEA Agency and BCEAO during effects, key proposed mitigation measures consultation. In the second step, the list of and residual effects can be found in Part 2 of candidate VCs was screened to determine this Executive Summary. Complete details of whether there would be a potential interaction the assessment and mitigation measures are between the Project and the VC. If a potential included in Volumes 2, 3 and 4 of the EIS.
24 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 Environmental Background The Project would introduce changes to the physical environment and these predicted changes to land, water and air were taken into account in the assessment of the potential effects on the VC, where relevant. For example, changes in sediment levels in surface water have been taken into account in assessing the potential effects on fish and fish habitat as well as on human health. The technical investigation of the potential changes to the physical environment is described in the environmental background section and supported by an Land Status, Tenure and Project extensive volume of technical data reports. Requirements includes the identification of land ownership and provides a summary of Geology, Terrain & Soils includes the associated land tenure of private, BC Hydro physiographic and topographic setting and owned and Crown land. The EIS includes a the stability of the terrain. The evaluation discussion of potential changes to tenured includes a description of bedrock and surficial areas, as well as the requirements to geology, key landforms, seismic conditions and acquire or obtain new rights over private or geotechnical and geochemical processes. government owned property to construct and Predicted changes to erosion and slope stability operate the Project. as a result of the creation and operation of Surface Water Regime describes the the proposed reservoir are described and surface hydrological conditions and features reservoir impact lines delineating zones (reservoirs, rivers, tributaries) and flows. of potential flood, erosion, landslide, and Hydraulic models were used to predict the landslide-generated wave hazards are provided potential changes in the hydrological regime in the EIS. (reservoir levels, seasonal flow patterns and water level) from Peace Canyon Dam to Peace Point, Alberta and the main drainage tributaries to the proposed reservoir (Lynx Creek, Farrell Creek, Halfway River, Moberly River). The normal operating range would provide an active storage volume of 165 million cubic metres. The average residence time of the water in the Site C reservoir would be 22 days. Due to the limited active storage volume of the Site C reservoir, the Project has limited ability to influence the flow regime. Hydraulic modelling studies predict that changes due to the Project would be negligible beyond the Town of Peace River, AB.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 25 Thermal and Ice Regime describes water temperature and ice regimes of the Peace River in the proposed reservoir and downstream to Fort Vermillion, Alberta. Changes to reservoir water temperature and ice regimes were predicted based on a three-dimensional numerical model. Potential changes to downstream water temperatures utilized a two-dimensional cross-sectionally averaged hydrodynamic and water quality model. Existing and post-construction ice conditions were studied using a one-dimensional numerical ice simulation model. Water Quality describes the water quality conditions from the forebay of Williston Results from these studies were used to reservoir through the Dinosaur reservoir and identify potential changes to the timing of ice the Peace River valley along the Peace River, cover formation and breakup, extent of ice to upstream of the confluence with the Alces cover, ice thickness and conditions that affect River, including Peace River tributaries in river transportation. The studies suggest that this area. Water quality parameters, including the Project would lead to a reduction in the nutrient and metals concentrations, suspended maximum upstream extent of the ice cover. sediment levels, dissolved gas pressure Fluvial Geomorphology & Sediment Transport levels, pH, alkalinity, and temperature, were includes studies of changes to suspended measured and concentrations are summarized sediment characteristics and transport and compared to B.C. and Canadian Water rates, bed material characteristics and quality guidelines. Without the Project, some of bedload transport rates, patterns and rates of these parameters currently exceed guidelines channel erosion and deposition in the Peace under baseline conditions. River and tributaries from Peace Canyon Groundwater Regime identifies the location dam downstream to Peace Point, Alberta. of water wells, springs, infrastructure and Predictive modelling was used to describe land use that could be influenced by changes changes to suspended sediment dynamics to the groundwater regime from Peace (inflow, deposition and outflow) in the proposed Canyon dam to the proposed Site C dam. The reservoir, as well as suspended sediment analysis includes changes to slope stability, concentrations and tributary sediment mixing, land or resource use, subsurface geology, bed material mobilization, channel erosion and aquifers and water table positions, as well as deposition downstream of the Site C dam. potential changes to groundwater chemistry The studies predict that the proposed reservoir due to the release of non-natural sources would trap a portion of the sediment delivered (potential contamination) or natural sources from tributaries, while the remainder (mostly (geologic materials). clay) would be transported out of the reservoir Studies indicate that the Project would not lead and down the Peace River. There would be an to changes in groundwater quality; however, overall reduction in the suspended sediment there would be changes to groundwater levels load downstream due to the creation of in proximity of the proposed Site C reservoir. the reservoir.
26 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 Methylmercury describes how under natural conditions, mercury (Hg) occurs in low concentrations in all environmental media, including water, soil, sediment, plants and in all terrestrial and aquatic animals. Over time, inorganic Hg is captured from the atmosphere by the leaves and needles of plants, which fall to the ground, accumulate, and are sequestered and concentrated into terrestrial soils. When soils are flooded, degradation of the organic material creates favorable conditions for sulfate-reducing bacteria Air Quality discusses existing conditions that transform or “methylate” some of the and predicted Project-related changes to air inorganic Hg into organic mercury, primarily quality, including ambient levels and air quality methylmercury (MeHg). MeHg concentrations emissions during construction activities and are higher in large-bodied, longer-lived operations in an area that encompasses the animals, especially those at the top of the food Project activity zone. The analysis included chain such as predatory fish. current ambient levels of nitrogen oxides, A range of methods was used to predict the Hg sulphur dioxide, particulate matter and and MeHg concentrations in water and biota other possible contaminants and emissions (invertebrates, fish) over the life of the Site C (ozone), as well as an emissions inventory for reservoir and downstream to Many Islands, vehicles and equipment, clearing and burning, Alberta. The analysis concluded that there extraction and handling of materials and may be an increase in MeHg concentrations fugitive emissions. in fish in the reservoir for a period of time The studies indicate that there may be before returning to pre-Project levels, which temporary increases in ambient particulate are relatively low compared to other Canadian levels in the vicinity of the dam construction site lakes and reservoirs. during construction. Ambient air criteria for all Microclimate includes climate data analysis for other parameters would meet current provincial temperature, precipitation, wind speed, relative and federal guidelines for air quality. and absolute humidity and fog. The study area includes the Peace River valley and North Peace Regional airport (Fort St. John airport). Results of the climate monitoring network in the Peace River valley and the Weather Research and Forecast model were used to predict changes to micro-climate parameters, including precipitation levels, fog, wind speed and direction, air temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, solar radiation, and heat flux. The results of these studies suggest that there may be modest increases in annual fog hours in the study area. In addition, there may be a slight increase in temperature in the winter and a slight decrease in the summer adjacent to the reservoir. Within 1 km of the reservoir, the annual average temperature is expected to increase by less than 1 degree.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 27 Noise and Vibration discusses existing Electric and Magnetic Field (EMF) are found conditions and predicted Project-related wherever electricity is generated, delivered, changes to noise and vibration at certain or used, including power transmission and locations used by people and wildlife near distribution lines, wiring in homes, workplace the Project activity zone. Noise levels were equipment, electrical appliances, power modelled for construction and operations tools, and electric motors. Transmission lines scenarios, including topographic, temperature produce both electric and magnetic fields. and wind effects on noise propagation of Electric and magnetic fields were calculated transportation and equipment generated for the two new 500 kV lines which will replace sound emissions. The EIS also describes the existing 138 kV lines. Electric fields blasting vibration and “sound-induced” or are influenced by line voltage, tower head airborne vibration. The analysis of noise from dimensions and configuration and the height of construction activities indicates that noise the conductors above ground. Magnetic fields guidelines may be exceeded in some locations. are influenced by the line current, the phase- to-phase spacing, tower head configuration and height of the conductors above ground.
The relationship between technical study topics and VCs is summarized in the following table.
Technical Study Valued Component
Agriculture; Community Infrastructure and Services; Forestry; Greenhouse Gases; Heritage; Navigation; Outdoor Recreation and Tourism; Vegetation and Ecological Communities; Visual Resources; Geology, Terrain & Soil Wildlife Resources; Fish and Fish Habitat; Current Use of Lands and Resources for Traditional Purposes; Oil, Gas and Energy; Harvest of Fish and Wildlife Resources Community Infrastructure and Services; Fish and Fish Habitat; Harvest of Fish and Wildlife Resources; Navigation; Outdoor Recreation and Tourism; Surface Water Regime Transportation; Current Use of Lands and Resources for Traditional Purposes; Wildlife Resources
Water Quality Fish and Fish Habitat; Human Health
Groundwater Regime Agriculture; Community Infrastructure and Services; Human Health Fish and Fish Habitat; Navigation; Outdoor Recreation and Tourism; Thermal and Ice Regime Transportation; Wildlife Resources; Current Use of Lands and Resources for Traditional Purposes Community Infrastructure and Services; Fish and Fish Habitat; Fluvial Geomorphology Navigation; Vegetation and Ecological Communities; Wildlife Resources; and Sediment Transport Oil, Gas & Energy; Human Health (water quality) Methyl Mercury Human Health; Fish and Fish Habitat Micro-Climate Agriculture; Navigation; Transportation Air Quality Greenhouse Gases; Human Health Noise and Vibration Fish and Fish Habitat; Human Health; Wildlife Resources Electric and Magnetic Human Health Fields
28 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 VALUED COMPONENTS Greenhouse Gases Based on the effects assessment methodology Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions accumulate described above, the 22 VCs defined in the in the atmosphere and are believed to be a EIS Guidelines were assessed by BC Hydro. major factor in producing the greenhouse The results of the assessment are contained effect that may affect climate. There is a in Sections 12 through 33 in the EIS and potential for Project activities to result in the are summarized in Part 2 of this Executive release of these types of GHG emissions. Summary. A description of each of the valued Local Government Revenue components is included below. The potential for the Project to affect local Fish and Fish Habitat government revenues and expenditures has The potential for construction and operation been assessed. Changes in local government of the Project to adversely affect Fish and Fish revenues and expenditures are valued by local habitat has been assessed. Three categories residents because they receive services from, of potential effects were assessed in the and pay property taxes to, local governments. EIS: changes to fish habitat, changes to fish Federal and provincial governments would also health and fish survival, and changes to receive revenues in the form of income taxes, fish movement. consumption taxes, or royalties.
Vegetation and Ecological Communities Labour Market The potential for the Project to adversely affect The Project requires workers with specific vegetation and ecological communities by skills and occupational training. The labour altering or fragmenting the habitat, including supply may be drawn from residents living wetlands, terrestrial ecosystems, rare and close by the Project, as well as throughout sensitive ecological communities, and rare B.C., Canada, or internationally. Labour plants, was assessed. demand corresponds to the number of positions of the requisite skills at the required Wildlife Resources time to construct and operate the Project, The Wildlife Resources VC includes the plus demand by supplier (i.e., indirect) and following key species groups: butterflies and consumer (i.e., induced) industries supported dragonflies, amphibians and reptiles, migratory by Project expenditures. birds, non-migratory gamebirds, raptors, bats, Regional Economic Development furbearers, ungulates, and large carnivores. Regional economic development is the change For each of the key indicator groups, the in areas of the economy, such as business potential for the Project to result in (1) habitat competitiveness that contribute to a region’s alteration and fragmentation, (2) disturbance overall economy and standard of living. and displacement, and (3) direct and indirect Expenditures made by the Project would accrue mortality, has been assessed. to individuals, businesses, and communities in the region, and thereby contribute to the development of the regional economy. Regional economic development key indicators addressed in the assessment were the regional business and contracting profile, capabilities, and capacity, including Aboriginal companies.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 29 Current Use of Lands and Resources for Minerals and Aggregate Traditional Purposes The Project’s use of land would overlap with The Project has the potential to change land, areas where potential exists for mineral and water, or resources, or access to lands, water aggregate production, or where there are or resources, used by Aboriginal groups existing quarries or pits. The potential for for traditional purposes. The key indicators the Project to affect minerals and aggregate for this VC are current use of lands and has been assessed in consideration of the resources for hunting, fishing and trapping changes to land use, resource use, and activities, including the location of the activity, access. The Project’s use of local aggregate the species targeted, the traditional uses of for construction activities, and any new or harvested animals, and the current use of improved access to aggregate sources created lands and resources for activities other than by the Project were also assessed. hunting, fishing and trapping by Aboriginal groups. The assessment considers the nature, Harvest of Fish and Wildlife Resources location and traditional use purpose. The Peace River and areas adjacent to it are used for the harvest of fish and wildlife Agriculture resources. The potential for the Project to Agriculture is an important component affect harvest of fish and wildlife resources was of the economy in the Peace region. The assessed by considering Project changes to the effect of the Project on the VC of agriculture use of and access to hunting, fishing, trapline, is assessed considering the interactions and guide outfitter areas, tenures areas, or the between the Project and the four key aspects availability of harvested species based on the of agricultural land base, farm operations, the results of the assessment of the potential for agricultural economy, and food production the Project to affect fish and fish habitat, and and consumption. wildlife resources.
Forestry Outdoor Recreation and Tourism The potential for the Project to affect forestry The Project has the potential to affect was assessed considering the Project recreation and tourism infrastructure, and interactions with the forest land base, with may result in changes in outdoor recreation Crown forest land management, and with the use levels and regional tourism visitor levels. forest industry. The Project effects on Outdoor Recreation and Tourism are assessed by considering the Oil, Gas and Energy Project interactions with outdoor recreation The Project would physically overlap areas and tourism features, amenities, sites, where oil and gas exploration and development activities, visitor levels and use levels. occurs. The potential for the Project to affect oil, gas, and energy was assessed Navigation considering the Project’s interactions with the The potential for the Project to affect water- land base and with the oil, gas, and energy based navigation (navigation) and air navigation industry activity. (aviation) has been assessed by predicting the Project-caused changes to navigability and navigation use of water bodies, to aviation routes or visibility, or to operation of the ferry and ice bridge crossings of the Peace River at Shaftesbury and Tompkins Landing in Alberta.
30 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 Visual Resources Community Infrastructure and Services As the Project would introduce permanent, Population change and changes to the physical visible features to the landscape, visual land base as a result of the Project would affect resources would be affected within and around infrastructure and services that communities the Project activity zone. The key indicators in proximity to the Project provide to residents. for Visual Resources are the visibility of The Project effects on the community Project components from selected sites and infrastructure and services valued component viewpoints in the Project area, and predicted were assessed by taking into consideration scenic values. changes in the demand for, or the provision of, community, emergency, education and health, Population and Demographics and social services, and specific displacement The Project demand for skilled labour during of, or effects to, infrastructure, such as sewer construction would exceed the local labour and water systems. supply, resulting in an in-migration of workers and a resultant change in local population Transportation and demographics. Population change is a Transportation infrastructure pertains to determinant of other potential changes to the system of roadway, rail, and air modes housing and on community infrastructure and of travel. The effects on transportation have services. The key indicators for population been assessed considering the Project’s use of and demographics are number of persons existing roads and railways and development of (gender, age profile, labour force participation), new roads to move people, equipment, goods, households, and demographic characteristics, and materials to and from construction and including marital status and dependents. operational sites, potentially creating traffic delays and affecting road safety. Housing The Project demand for labour during Heritage Resources construction would result in an in‑migration The potential to adversely affect heritage of workers and a resultant change in local resources has been assessed by taking population, and would become a driver of into account the potential for the Project change in the demand for local area housing. to result in disturbance to heritage sites, The assessment of effects on housing takes features, artifacts, human remains, fossils, or into account the Project plans to provide character, by changing access to sites, and in worker accommodation, and the current consideration of issues raised by Aboriginal capacity of the local housing market to receive groups. These key indicators provide physical increased demand, using indicators of housing evidence of ancient flora and fauna or cultural availability, cost and future supply. materials including, but not limited to, remains of ancient campsites, burials, subsistence procurement sites, and historic structures.
Human Health The potential for human health effects as a result of the Project have been assessed by considering changes in air quality, water quality, noise and vibration, electric and magnetic fields, and methylmercury levels in fish.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 31 9. Aboriginal groups and the potential IMPACTS on their rights and interests
As set out in the EIS Guidelines, BC Hydro BC Hydro’s record of consultation is extensive. BC Hydro will continue focussed its consultation efforts on 29 The issues and interests raised by Aboriginal Aboriginal groups, including Treaty 8 First groups are described fully in the EIS in an to consult with Nations and Métis groups in British Columbia, issues tracking table, and are considered in Aboriginal groups in Alberta and the Northwest Territories, as well the effects assessments for each applicable order to identify and as two non-treaty First Nations in B.C. The VC. BC Hydro is also working to build capacity consider outstanding EIS contains an assessment of the potential among Aboriginal people who may benefit issues throughout adverse impacts of the Project on the exercise from opportunities that may arise as a result of the environmental of asserted or established Aboriginal rights the Project. assessment process. and treaty rights of the identified Aboriginal Consultation with Aboriginal groups respecting groups. This assessment includes BC Hydro’s potential impacts of the Project on the understanding of each Aboriginal group’s exercise of asserted or established Aboriginal asserted or established Aboriginal rights and treaty rights is ongoing. In some cases, and treaty rights, and how the exercise of Aboriginal groups have raised issues, concerns those rights may be affected by the Project. or interests that at the time of the filing of the This information is derived from the effects EIS and in the view of BC Hydro, have not been assessment carried out for the Current Use of fully addressed. Lands and Resources for Traditional Purposes VC. The EIS presents measures to mitigate BC Hydro will continue to consult with or accommodate potential adverse impacts Aboriginal groups in order to identify and of the Project on the exercise of the identified consider outstanding issues throughout asserted or established Aboriginal rights and the environmental assessment process, treaty rights. and additional information made available to BC Hydro by Aboriginal groups will be The EIS also includes summaries of considered prior to submission of the EIS to background information for each Aboriginal the Joint Review Panel. If the Project receives group, including maps of their traditional approval, consultation with potentially-affected territories where they have been made Aboriginal groups will continue through available to BC Hydro. Aboriginal land and construction and operations. resource use summaries have been prepared for each Aboriginal group, involving a review of information made available by Aboriginal groups through traditional land use studies, as well as other publicly available information, to inform BC Hydro’s understanding of past, current and reasonably anticipated future use of lands and resources by the 29 Aboriginal groups. Summary information is also included respecting elements included in Impact Benefit Agreements that have been offered or tabled with those First Nations which may be adversely affected or impacted by the Project, and where BC Hydro considers that accommodation beyond the mitigations described in the EIS is warranted.
32 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 10. Mitigation Measures
BC Hydro has proposed comprehensive Two further changes were made to the design mitigation measures to avoid or mitigate of the Project after the commencement of the potential adverse Project effects. A detailed effects assessment. Both of these changes BC Hydro has list and description of proposed mitigation would reduce the potential effects of the Project, proposed measures are included in the EIS and are in however, to be conservative, the assessment comprehensive Part 2 of this Executive Summary. was undertaken with the larger footprint. mitigation measures to avoid or mitigate Mitigation incorporated in the Project Design • The transmission line right-of- way requirements were reduced by potential adverse In addition to the mitigation measures changing the design and the sequencing project effects. described in Part 2, BC Hydro has made of construction of the two 500 kV changes to the historic project design. The transmission lines so that the two existing following table summarize some of the design 138 kV transmission lines could be changes that have been incorporated to date to removed, reducing the footprint. avoid or reduce potential effects of the Project. • The capacity of the diversion works was increased by increasing the diameter of the diversion tunnels, reducing the fluctuation of the head pond during diversion.
Project Valued Component Effects Avoided or Mitigated Avoidance or Mitigation Measure Component Dam, Wildlife Resources Loss of wildlife habitat Maximize relocation of surplus excavated material generating upstream of dam station and Reduce footprint and disruption of wetland habitat spillways and clearing by relocating worker accommodation Minimize footprint on big island downstream of dam Fish and Fish Habitat Dissolved gas supersaturation Modify spillway design to minimize dissolved gas Reservoir Community Infrastructure Erosion of slopes at Extended shoreline protection and Services Hudson’s Hope Highway 29 Community Infrastructure Potential erosion by reservoir Realign Highway 29 at Dry Creek and realignments and Services Farrell Creek East Agriculture Loss of agricultural land Select alignment at Lynx Creek that includes a portion of Millar Road Quarried and Wildlife Resources Loss of bat hibernacula Eliminate Tea Creek from consideration as a source excavated of temporary riprap construction Human Health Reducing heavy truck traffic Select a conveyor for transporting construction materials on public roads – lower risk to material from 85th Avenue Industrial Lands to the human safety, less noise and dust dam site area Wildlife Resources Disturbance to caribou Place restrictions on blasting at West Pine quarry to no greater than historical levels during January 16 to March 31 and from May 15 to June 14 of each year Transportation Traffic congestion in Hudson's Source permanent riprap for dam, generating Hope and on Highway 29 station, and spillways from West Pine Quarry as opposed to Portage Mountain Quarry Minerals and Aggregates Use of aggregate in project area Source aggregate for Highway 29 realignment from areas that would be inundated
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 33 11. Proponent’s ConclusionS
The purpose of the environmental assessment Wildlife Resources is to assess the potential residual adverse Habitat for certain migratory birds (Canada, effects of the Project and determine whether Cape May and Bay-breasted Warblers, Yellow each of those effects is significant when it is Rail and Nelson’s Sparrow) would be affected considered alone and when it is considered by the creation of the reservoir. Because as a cumulative effect that is in combination these select migratory birds are considered with the residual effects of other projects species at risk, a determination of significance and activities. This section of the Executive has been made. None of the other species Summary includes the proponent’s conclusions of wildlife assessed are expected to be about the significance of potential residual significantly affected by the Project as proposed adverse effects and cumulative effects of mitigation would be effective or the populations the Project. are not at risk. Significance of Potential Vegetation and Ecological Communities Residual Effects The creation of the reservoir and other Project The conclusion of the substantial work activities would alter and fragment some undertaken to date indicates that the effects unique terrestrial ecosystems that include of the Project can largely be mitigated through a marl fen, tufa seeps, and old and mature careful project planning, comprehensive riparian and floodplain forests. In addition, mitigation programs and ongoing monitoring some occurrences of rare plants would during construction and operations. As a result, be lost, including two plant species at risk the Project is unlikely to result in a significant (Drummond’s thistle and little bluestem). adverse effect on most of the VCs. However, a As a result of potential alteration and determination of significance has been made fragmentation of unique terrestrial ecosystems for the following VCs: and two rare plant species, a determination of significance has been made. Fish and Fish Habitat The transformation of a river ecosystem Current Use of Lands and Resources for to a reservoir would create a new and Traditional Purposes productive aquatic ecosystem. This new The creation of the reservoir would result in aquatic environment is expected to support the loss of some important multi-use, cultural a community of equal or greater productivity areas and valued landscapes, including sites than the existing riverine environment. at Attachie, Bear Flats and Farrell Creek. As a However, the composition of fish species result, a determination of significance has been would change. Overall, this would increase the made for the effect on the use of these areas productive capacity of fish and fish habitat in by members of the Treaty 8 Tribal Association, the reservoir. With this change, three distinct Saulteau First Nations and Blueberry River sub-groups of species, the migratory Arctic First Nations. The effect on hunting, trapping grayling in the Moberly River, the migratory and fishing opportunities and practices would bull trout that spawn in the Halfway River and not be significant. mountain whitefish that rely on Peace River BC Hydro will continue to explore additional habitat, may be lost. However, these species potential mitigation opportunities for these would continue to be present in Peace River specific VCs. tributaries and downstream of the Site C dam, and may persist in the reservoir. As a result of the potential loss of these distinct groups of fish, a finding of significance has been made.
34 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 Significance of Potential The anticipated residual effects to Vegetation Cumulative Effects and Ecological Communities from other future projects and activities combined are considered The EIS provides an assessment of the significant, even without the Project. This cumulative effects that may result from the is because the potential residual effects of Project in combination with other projects or other projects and activities that include activities that have been, or will be carried out. road construction, forestry and land clearing The assessment was conducted to determine activities, cannot be fully mitigated and the whether potential residual adverse effects of future loss of rare plants and rare and sensitive the Project on a VC would have a spatial and ecosystems due to these other projects have temporal overlap with the potential residual the potential to further elevate provincial or effects of another project or activity conducted federal listings. The cumulative effect with the within the Regional Assessment Area (RAA) on Project is also considered significant. the same VC. The anticipated residual effects to Wildlife In order to conduct the assessment of the Resources from other future projects and potential cumulative effects of the Project on activities combined are considered significant, a VC, three cases were developed: a baseline even without the Project. The footprints case, a future case without the Project, and a of other projects and activities within the future case with the Project. The first two cases regional assessment area would result in were used to demonstrate the status of the VC the loss and fragmentation of habitat for taking into account the effects of projects and wildlife. The Project would potentially result activities that have been and will be carried in the alteration and fragmentation of habitat, out. The case with the Project was then used disturbance or displacement, and mortality for to determine the extent to which those effects certain key indicator species or species groups. would combine with the potential residual The cumulative effect with the Project is also adverse effects of the Project. In consideration considered significant. of possible regional approaches to mitigation, Increasing GHG emissions from the many the potential residual cumulative effects sources globally and the resulting increase in of the Project were then assessed and the GHG concentrations in the atmosphere, and the significance determined. consequent changes to the global climate, are The future cases were developed taking into currently believed to be a significant cumulative account registered and active projects on environmental effect, even without the Project. the BCEAO and CEA Agency websites, and While the Project’s contribution to a net change projects and activities identified by reviewing in global GHG emissions is relatively small registered oil and gas applications, registered and the environmental effect of the Project water license applications, Land Act tenure related GHG emissions on global climate is applications, harvest plans, official community not measurable, the cumulative effect with the plans and large waste discharges into the Project is also considered significant. Peace River from Peace Canyon Dam to Vermillion Chutes, Alberta. All of those projects and activities have been included on the “Project Inclusion List”.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 35 12. Conclusion of the EIS
BC Hydro is proposing to construct the The conclusion of the substantial work The Project will Site C Clean Energy Project, including a dam undertaken to date indicates that the effects and hydroelectric generating station on the of the Project can largely be mitigated through support the Peace River in northeast British Columbia. careful project planning, comprehensive integration of The Project would provide clean, reliable, mitigation programs and ongoing monitoring additional intermittent renewable power for more than 100 years. during construction and operations. In addition, renewables in to the Project delivers substantial benefits to BC Hydro’s system as The environmental assessment of the Project is being carried out in accordance with CEAA customers, Aboriginal groups, communities, part of a clean energy 2012, BCEAA and the BC/Canada Agreement. British Columbia and Canada. strategy. The EIS has been prepared in accordance BC Hydro serves approximately 1.9 million with the EIS Guidelines and meets the residential, commercial, and industrial objectives of the guiding principles set out customers, which represent 95 per cent of in those guidelines. The EIS demonstrates the electricity users in the Province. Over the that 1) a comprehensive environmental next 10 to 15 years, demand for electricity is assessment has been conducted, 2) the public expected to grow by up to 40 per cent, and have been provided a clear understanding BC Hydro has a legislated obligation to ensure of the Site C Project as early as possible in a secure supply of power to meet this need. the review process and have been provided Based on BC Hydro’s long-term planning with opportunities to participate in the process and analysis of alternative resources environmental assessment process, and to meet need, the Site C Project has been 3) BC Hydro has engaged with Aboriginal identified as the preferred resource option groups as early as possible in the project to meet both long-term energy and capacity planning process. requirements. As hydroelectric projects are BC Hydro began consulting with Aboriginal complex, they require a long lead time to groups in late 2007, well before a decision plan, design, and to complete the rigorous to advance the Project to the environmental environmental assessment process. In assessment process. While consultations are addition, they take many years to construct. For ongoing, BC Hydro has a comprehensive record these reasons, BC Hydro believes the Project of issues and interests raised by Aboriginal should proceed now to ensure that the energy groups, which have been taken into account and dependable capacity from the Project is in the assessment. BC Hydro also began available to meet forecasted customer demand. consulting with communities in late 2007, and The Project would provide ratepayer, taxpayer, has led or participated in more than 500 public employment, economic development and consultation meetings, presentations, local community benefits. The construction of the government meetings, community events and Project would create approximately 10,000 open houses. Input from these consultations direct construction jobs and approximately informed Project planning and design, as well 33,000 total jobs through all stages of as the proposed mitigation measures. development. It would also provide substantial The assessment was conducted to assess the economic benefits, including a contribution potential effects of the Project on 22 valued of $3.2 billion to the provincial GDP components related to the environment, during construction. economy, social, heritage and health. The Project will potentially result in changes that may impact these valued components, and, therefore, a comprehensive set of mitigation measures have been proposed based on leading scientific and engineering techniques and with input from Aboriginal groups and communities.
36 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 BC Hydro is committed to providing lasting BC Hydro concludes that while the Project benefits and opportunities to Aboriginal groups has the potential to result in some significant As a cost-effective, and communities through the construction residual effects, they are justified by (1) the renewable energy and operation of the Project. Examples of public interest served by delivering long term, project, Site C regional benefits would include employment reliable electricity to meet growing demand would provide clean, and contracting opportunities, improvements (2) the employment, economic development, reliable electricity to infrastructure, road upgrades, new outdoor ratepayer, taxpayer, and community benefits and dependable recreation opportunities and additional that would result (3) the ability of the Project capacity for BC Hydro affordable housing units. to meet this need for electricity with lower customers and for As a clean, renewable resource, the Project GHG impact than other resource options and generations to come. would deliver electricity with very low GHG (4) because the Project would take advantage emissions per unit of energy produced. of water already stored in the upstream Emissions would be comparable to other reservoirs to generate over 35 per cent of the renewable sources such as wind and run-of- energy generated by BC Hydro’s largest facility river hydro. As such, the Project will support with only 5 per cent of the reservoir area. both provincial and federal GHG reduction Further, BC Hydro is continuing to consult with strategies. In addition, the dependable Aboriginal groups and to seek accommodations capacity provided by the Project will facilitate where appropriate. the integration of additional renewables into As a cost-effective, renewable energy project, BC Hydro’s system, supporting the Province’s Site C would provide clean, reliable electricity clean energy strategy. and dependable capacity for BC Hydro customers for generations to come.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 1 – JANUARY 2013 37
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PART 2: SUMMARY OF VALUED COMPONENTS Environmental Assessment Methodology
This section of the Executive Summary Spatial boundaries were selected for each VC provides an overview of the approach taken to assess the potential effects of the Project. with each valued component (VC), including key These boundaries vary for each VC and the indicators for potential effects, the assessment EIS includes a scientific justification for their area, potential effects, proposed key selection. The spatial boundaries for all VCs mitigation measures and a conclusion by the consider the Project activity zone. The Project Proponent on the significance of any potential activity zone is the area within which the residual effects. project components will be found or will occur.
Environmental Assessment Methodology For each VC, the assessment of the effects for each of the Project components and BC Hydro conducted a comprehensive study physical activities in all phases is based on of baseline conditions and background a comparison of the biophysical and human information to prepare for the effects environments between the predicted future assessment of the Project. Extensive planning conditions with the Project, and the predicted and technical studies were conducted over a future conditions without the Project. Potential number of years and the findings are included adverse effects on the VC are described along in a large number of technical data reports that with technically and economically feasible are appended to the EIS. mitigation measures. Based on this work and on input from, and consultation with, Aboriginal groups, the public, the scientific community, and government agencies, 22 VCs were selected for assessment and are categorized under five “pillars”: 1) environmental, 2) economic, 3) social, 4) heritage, and 5) health, consistent with the BC Environmental Assessment Act.
In the following pages, the valued components are presented in the same order as they appear in Volumes 2, 3 and 4 of the EIS.
Fish and Fish Habitat Forestry Vegetation and Ecological Communities Oil, Gas and Energy Wildlife Resources Minerals and Aggregates Greenhouse Gases Harvest of Fish and Wildlife Resources Local Government Revenue Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Labour Market Navigation Regional Economic Development Visual Resources Population and Demographics Population Demographics Housing Housing Community Infrastructure and Services Community Infrastructure and Services Current Use of Land and Resources for Transportation Traditional Purposes Heritage Resources Agriculture Human Health
40 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 Fish and Fish Habitat
Fish and Fish habitat would potentially be Assessment Area affected by the construction and operation of The Local Assessment Area for fish habitat the Project. includes: Scope Of The Effects Assessment • the Peace River in the proposed The fish and fish habitat assessment analyses reservoir area potential effects of the Project on: • tributaries entering the proposed reservoir • Changes in Fish Habitat: Quality and • Peace River downstream of the proposed quantity of fish habitats, habitat availability, Site C Dam to the Many Islands Area, Alberta water depth, velocity, water temperature, • watercourses and water bodies within the sedimentation, water quality, ice regime, transmission line and roadway rights-of-way aquatic productivity, food resources, and competition for food and habitat • watercourses and water bodies within the Project activity zone • Changes in Fish Health and Survival: Species diversity; fish population distribution, • riparian areas adjacent to identified fish population relative abundance, fish watercourses and water bodies population biomass, sedimentation, The Regional Assessment Area includes the stranding, fish entrainment, and total Peace River from Peace Canyon Dam, B.C. to dissolved gas Vermilion Chutes, Alberta.
• Changes in Fish Movement: Fish species Baseline Conditions population, movement patterns and general life history parameters (i.e., access to Baseline conditions for each of the key habitats), swim speeds, and fish entrainment indicators were compiled based on available literature, extensive, multi-year field studies and information from traditional land use studies. The effects assessment is structured to evaluate how categories of effects on the VC (habitat, health and survival, and movement) would be affected by the activities during construction and operation of the Project.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 41 Fish and Fish Habitat
Summary of Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures
Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures
Changes to Fish Construction Habitat • Place material relocation sites 15 m back from the high water level to avoid affecting Peace River fish habitat • Incorporate fish habitat features into the final capping of materials sites • Include fish habitat features (e.g., shears, large riprap point bars, etc.) in the final design of the north bank haul road • Compensate for fish habitat affected by Highway 29 realignment ‘like for like’ in the vicinity of the habitat loss • Contour Highway 29 materials sites prior to decommissioning to provide littoral fish habitat in the reservoir • Replace fish habitat by incorporating fish habitat features into the final design of the Hudson’s Hope shoreline protection berm • Retain non-merchantable trees and vegetation in riparian areas within a 15 m buffer zone from the high water mark. Merchantable trees, and vegetation that could interfere with navigation, will be removed using clearing practices to maintain a 15 m machine-free zone • Manage construction footprints to reduce the impact on fish and fish habitat • Remove temporary structures from the river as soon as they are no longer required Operation • Manage reservoir fluctuation within a 1.8 m maximum normal operating range to reduce effects to the shoreline fish habitat • Where appropriate, plant a 15 m wide riparian area along the reservoir shoreline adjacent to BC Hydro-owned farmland to provide riparian habitat and bank stabilization • Enhance side channel complexes between the dam site and the confluence of the Peace and Pine rivers to increase wetted habitat during low flows • Create new wetted channels and restore back channels on the south bank island downstream of the dam to create off channel and back channel habitat Changes to Construction Fish Health and Sediment Reduction Measures: Survival • Adjust timing of construction activities to coincide with periods of high background sediment levels where feasible • Use clean rock materials for riprap construction to reduce the amount of sediment introduced into the aquatic environment • Reduce equipment production rates to limit the amount of sediment generated by equipment where needed • Berm or cap areas with high potential to produce sediment • Leave stumps in the reservoir in place during clearing to reduce soil disturbance and potential sedimentation issues, where feasible • Clear in winter, where feasible, to reduce soil disturbance continued… • Conduct in-stream construction in isolated work areas when feasible
42 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 Fish and Fish Habitat
Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures
Changes to Stranding Avoidance Measures Fish Health and • Monitor fish habitat areas where periodic dewatering occurs to determine Survival primary stranding locations …continued • Implement a fish collection and relocation program for stranded fish • Enhance side channel complexes in the reach between the dam site and the confluence of the Peace and Pine Rivers to increase wetted habitat and to reduce stranding potential • Contour mainstem bars, where practical, to reduce potential for fish stranding Fish Passage Measures • Use large, slow rotating Francis turbines to increase entrainment survival • Design smooth and gradual transitions at the approach channel and penstock entrances and tailrace exit structures into the final design • Design the orientation and size of openings and exits to reduce hydraulic turbulence to reduce fish injury • Ensure smooth surface finishing on linings of tunnels and spillways • Reduce obstructions (e.g., boulders) from spillway and tailrace areas • Utilize large diameter diversion tunnels and associated hydraulics that provide low risk of fish mortality • Incorporate smooth and gradual transitions from the round tunnels to the square exits Dissolved Gas Mitigation Measures • The spillway design has been modified to reduce total dissolved gas generation • Develop and implement an operational procedure to reduce the number of hold points and duration of the reservoir filling and turbine commissioning to reduce total dissolved gas concentration in tailwater Operations Measures to Reduce Total Dissolved Gas Generation: • Develop and implement an operational procedure to manage the rate of discharge at each gate to reduce dissolved gas generation • Develop and implement an operational procedure to reduce total dissolved gas concentration in tailwater Changes to Fish • Provide upstream fish passage during construction and operations by a trap Movement and haul facility • Implement a periodic capture and translocation program for small-fish species (contingent on the results of investigative studies into the genetic exchange requirements of upstream and downstream populations)
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 43 Fish and Fish Habitat
Monitoring Species such as kokanee, lake whitefish, lake An environmental monitoring program trout, burbot, peamouth and rainbow trout that during construction will be developed to can adapt to the new ecosystem would benefit. evaluate the effectiveness of these mitigation Other species that rely on riverine habitats measures and to validate the predictions may decline in the reservoir environment. about physical changes in the environment Three distinct groups of the species that may during construction. In addition, Environmental decline in the new ecosystem may be lost: Management Plans will be implemented during the migratory component of the Moberly construction to limit impacts on fish and fish River Arctic grayling, migratory bull trout that habitat, including, but not limited to, the Fish spawn in the Halfway River, and mountain and Aquatic Habitat Management Plan, Erosion whitefish that rear in the Peace River and Prevention and Sediment Control Plan, and spawn in tributaries of the Peace River or the Surface Water Quality Management Plan. Peace River mainstem upstream of the Site C dam site. Key Findings: Fish and Fish Habitat The loss of these distinct groups would The transformation of a river ecosystem result from the loss of river habitat, reduced to a reservoir would create a new and fish health and survival during construction productive aquatic ecosystem. This new and reservoir filling, and hindered fish aquatic environment is expected to support a movement. Although these distinct groups community of equal or greater productivity than would be affected, Arctic grayling, bull trout the existing riverine environment. However, the and mountain whitefish would continue to composition of fish species would change. be present in Peace River tributaries and downstream of the reservoir and may persist in the reservoir. As a result of the potential loss of these distinct groups of fish, the Project may result in a significant adverse effect on fish and fish habitat.
44 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 Vegetation and Ecological Communities
The potential effects of the Project on The Regional Assessment Area comprises five vegetation and ecological communities Wildlife Management Units, including most of (terrestrial ecosystems, rare and sensitive the Peace Lowlands eco-section and all Project ecological communities, and rare plants) are components. assessed based on one general effect category – habitat alteration and fragmentation – which Baseline Conditions covers the temporary and permanent loss and Baseline conditions for each of the key fragmentation of vegetation and ecological indicators was compiled from available communities, including wetlands. literature, field studies, and information from traditional land use studies. Assessment Area This assessment evaluates how categories The Local Assessment Area for vegetation and of effects on the VC (habitat alteration ecological communities includes the Project and fragmentation) would be affected by activity zone buffered by an additional 1,000 m, activities during construction and operation of and downstream from the Site C dam to the the Project. Alberta border buffered by 1,000 m on both the south and north banks of the Peace River.
Summary of Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures
Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures
Habitat • Place transmission towers and temporary roads away from wetlands and alteration and known rare plant occurrences where feasible fragmentation • Establish Environmental Protection Zones to protect known rare plant occurrences located adjacent to construction areas where feasible • Plan and implement construction activities in a manner that seeks to maintain the hydrology of adjacent wetlands, particularly where known rare plant occurrences are present • Implement measures to maintain existing hydrological patterns as much as possible if roads cannot avoid wetlands • Install culverts under access roads to maintain hydrological balance • Install sedimentation barriers as needed • Retain vegetation on steep, unstable slopes that would be highly susceptible to landslides if the vegetation was removed • Retain non-merchantable trees and vegetation in riparian areas within a 15 m buffer zone from the high water mark. Merchantable trees and vegetation that could interfere with navigation will be removed using clearing practices to maintain a 15 m machine-free zone. • BC Hydro will fund a compensation program that will include: • A survey of habitat enhancement projects in the Regional Assessment Area to identify projects that might provide compensation for rare and sensitive habitats and protect occurrences of rare plants (e.g., wetlands). If suitable habitat enhancement projects can be found, BC Hydro will provide assistance (financial or in-kind) to the appropriate managing organization. • Identification of areas that are under threat from development or in need of habitat enhancement. Where opportunities exist, BC Hydro will consider direct purchase – if offered for sale – and/or management of these lands to enhance continued… or retain rare plant values. BC Hydro will also consider contributing to other protection options where direct purchase is not feasible.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 45 Vegetation and Ecological Communities
Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures
… continued Implement the following Environmental Management Plans: Habitat • Air Quality Management alteration and • Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control fragmentation • Fisheries and Aquatic Habitat Management • Fuel Handling and Storage Management • Soil Management Site Restoration and Revegetation • Vegetation and Invasive Plant Management
Key Findings: Vegetation and As a result of potential alteration and Ecological Communities fragmentation of unique terrestrial ecosystems The creation of the reservoir and other Project and loss of occurrences of two plant species activities would alter and fragment some at risk, a determination of significance has unique terrestrial ecosystems that include been made. marl fen, tufa seeps, and old and mature riparian and floodplain forests. In addition, occurrences of rare plants would be lost, including two red-listed rare plant species, Drummond’s thistle and little bluestem.
46 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 Wildlife Resources
The Wildlife Resources assessment considers by an additional 1,000 m. The LAA also extends the potential effects to habitat alteration and downstream from the Site C dam to the Alberta fragmentation, disturbance and displacement, border and includes a 1,000 m buffer on both and mortality for the following wildlife groups: the south and north banks of the Peace River. butterflies and dragonflies, amphibians and The Regional Assessment Area (RAA) includes reptiles, migratory birds, non-migratory five Wildlife Management Units and includes gamebirds, raptors, bats, furbearers, most of the Peace Lowlands eco-section and ungulates, and large carnivores. incorporates all Project components.
Assessment area Baseline conditions for each of the key indicators was compiled based on available The Local Assessment Area (LAA) literature, field studies, and information from encompasses the Project activity zone, buffered traditional land use studies.
Summary of Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures
Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures
Habitat Wetlands Alteration and • Establish appropriate barriers and Environmental Protection Zones to avoid Fragmentation direct disturbance to wetland sites • Create new wetland habitat areas for migratory birds and a range of other species • Create areas that are “fish-free”, where appropriate, to reduce the effects of fish predation on invertebrates, amphibian eggs and larvae, and young birds • Maintain existing hydraulic patterns if roads cannot avoid wetlands; ditches, culverts, and other structures will be placed to maintain the natural drainage patterns and allow the movement of flows Habitats • Retain vegetation on steep, unstable slopes that would be highly susceptible to landslides if the vegetation was removed • Retain non-merchantable trees and vegetation in riparian areas within a 15 m buffer zone from the high water mark. Merchantable trees and vegetation that could interfere with navigation will be removed using clearing practices to maintain a 15 m machine-free zone • Locate artificial dens on warm aspect slopes in open areas away from major roads • Incorporate nest boxes for cavity-nesting waterfowl into wetland mitigation plans and within riparian vegetation zones, where feasible • Provide a portion of BC Hydro-owned land for breeding habitat for Northern Harrier and Short-eared Owl. Wetland compensation will also be made available to address some habitat losses for these two species • Incorporate bat roosting habitat features into new bridge designs, where feasible • Install bat boxes on free-standing poles or on facility walls where their presence will not interfere with facility operations and maintenance • Create and disperse natural or artificial piles of coarse woody debris to maintain fisher foraging areas and cold-weather rest sites • Create arboreal resting sites for fisher continued… • Provide artificial fisher den boxes within forested stands that have limited Tier 3 trees
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 47 Wildlife Resources
Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures
… continued Ungulates Habitat • Manage BC Hydro-owned lands at the Halfway River and Wilder Creek to Alteration and provide ungulate winter range on the north bank of the Peace River Fragmentation • Consider the use of supplemental ungulate feeding programs during severe winters Environmental Management Plans • Implement the following Environmental Management Plans: • Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Plan • Fisheries and Aquatic habitat Management Plan • Fuel Handling and Storage Management Plan • Soil Management Site Restoration and Re-vegetation • Surface Water Quality Management Plan • Vegetation and Invasive Plant Management Plan Disturbance and Construction Displacement • Reduce, where feasible, light pollution at work sites • Restrict access on roads used by work crews during construction • Incorporate the location of rare species along the transmission line right-of- way or adjacent to generation facilities into BC Hydro’s GIS-based mapping system • Provide all known grouse lek locations during the final construction design phase • Use appropriate flagging if work is required immediately adjacent to any leks, and instruct personnel to avoid these sites • Develop a detailed Human-Bear Conflict Management Plan for the Project • Implement the following Environmental Management Plans: • Soil Management Site Restoration and Revegetation Plan • Wildlife Management Plan Bald Eagles • Update the baseline data on Bald Eagle nest sites from 2011 prior to commencement of construction • Erect Bald Eagle nesting platforms along the reservoir shoreline. If an active nest is lost due to the Project, new nesting structures will be provided • Retain Bald Eagle nests outside the dam construction area that are confirmed active the year that clearing is started within the reservoir through the entire construction phase until reservoir filling is initiated • Remove nests that could be lost during seasonal flooding associated with dam construction. For active nests retained through the construction period, a “no-clearing buffer” around each active nest will be implemented
48 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 Wildlife Resources
Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures
Mortality • Design a portion of the wetlands created to compensate for habitat loss to remain fish-free to eliminate predation to invertebrates (dragonfly larva), amphibians, and reptiles • Include amphibian passage structures in road design where roads are adjacent to wetlands or amphibian migrations • Clear forested habitat – potential roosting and cover sites for bats and fisher – before inundation begins. Clearing will take place during late fall and winter, before the birthing season, and when bats are not present or are in hibernacula, where feasible • Schedule construction activities following guidance from Peace Region Selected Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Least Risk Windows • Develop a Human-Bear Conflict Management Plan • Implement the following Environmental Management Plans: • Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Plan • Fuel Handling and Storage Management Plan • Vegetation and Invasive Plant Management Plan • Wildlife Management Plan
Key Findings: Wildlife Resources The residual effects to wildlife resources would be local for all indicators except migratory birds, and would not jeopardize the persistence of those indicator groups in a regional context. Habitat for certain migratory birds (Canada, Cape May and Bay-breasted Warblers, Yellow Rail and Nelson’s Sparrow) would be affected by the creation of the reservoir. Because these select migratory birds are considered species at risk, a determination of significance has been made. All other species of wildlife are not expected to be significantly affected by the Project as proposed mitigation will be effective or the populations are not at risk.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 49 Greenhouse Gases
The assessment of greenhouse gases Baseline Conditions considers the net change in greenhouse gas Baseline conditions for each of the key (GHG) emissions from the construction and indicators are described using information operations phase of the Project, including collected from literature reviews, provincial and emissions associated with construction federal datasets, and development of a Project- activities, land use change and clearing to form specific carbon mass-balance model. the reservoir. Summary of Potential Effects and Scope of Effects Assessment Mitigation Measures During construction, GHG emissions are expected from direct fuel combustion Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures associated with equipment operation, and Emission of GHGs • Implement fleet from emissions associated with materials from construction management measures to used in construction (e.g., concrete, fly ash, activities reduce fuel consumption steel, stainless steel, aluminum and copper). and increase GHG emissions are expected to result from fuel efficiency the Project’s land clearing and construction Release of GHGs • Reduce the long-term activities and are estimated over the during operation conversion of land while construction phase and for Project operations. still achieving the purpose of the Project The results are reported using the following key indicators: Monitoring • Total Project GHG emissions, and net The GHG emission generating activities would emissions considering the change from be monitored throughout construction and current conditions to post-inundation operations. scenarios Key Findings: Greenhouse Gases • GHG emissions intensity per unit of energy The residual Project-related quantities of (t CO2e/kWh), including comparison with other modes of electricity generation GHGs released to the atmosphere are a small fraction of the provincial, national, and global Assessment Area emissions, and are considered low (in terms of The Local Assessment Area is the Project total and emission intensity) in the context of activity zone, which is the area within which CEA Agency guidance. GHG emissions from construction activities The environmental effects of the Project on would occur and where the reservoir would Greenhouse Gases are determined to be not be formed. significant because GHG emissions from the In recognition of the nature of the potential Project are low in relation to other forms of environmental effects of a change in GHG non-renewable electricity generation and in emissions on global climate, the assessment relation to the provincial, regional or national compares Project-related GHG emissions to GHG emission totals. global, national, and provincial GHG emissions. The Project would result in a net benefit from a GHG perspective, producing electricity with substantively lower GHG emissions per unit energy produced compared to non-renewable thermal electricity generation resources.
50 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 Local Government Revenue
The Project could affect the use of land, Summary of Potential Effects and services and infrastructure and could affect Mitigation Measures local government revenues and expenditures. Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures Scope of the Effects Assessment Change in local • Implement measures to The effects assessment for local and regional government address potential effects government revenues and expenditures revenue: local on demand for services considers changes to local government governments and infrastructure, expenditures on programs and services, and may experience as described local government revenues from property changes in both under Community taxes, grants inlieu payments, sales of revenue and Infrastructure and services, transfers and other income. costs related Services Provide Project to meeting the workforce camps that Assessment Area demands of new will be self-sufficient and The Local Assessment Area for local local residents, not dependent upon local government revenues includes the Cities of workforce, government services or impacts to Fort St. John and Dawson Creek, the District • Provide a one-time infrastructure of Taylor, Hudson’s Hope, Chetwynd, and the contribution to the Peace River Regional District (Electoral Areas District of Hudson’s Hope B, C, D, and E). This is the area where physical to address land no longer available for development and workforce effects would potentially affect local government revenues and expenditures. • Provide annual grants-in- lieu payments estimated Baseline Conditions at $1.3 million annually to local governments as Baseline conditions for each of the key directed by provincial indicators are described using information Order-In-Council, collected from: throughout operations • Literature reviews, including historical and current local government revenue and Key Findings: Local Government Revenue expenditure data Additional direct, indirect and induced • Interviews with municipal governments, incremental tax revenues to local Peace River Regional District, provincial governments would result from economic government, and BC Hydro representatives activity during the construction phase of concerning current services utilization and the Project. No residual adverse effects are infrastructure demand anticipated for Local Government Revenue following the application of mitigation measures. Refer to Community Infrastructure and Services for additional information.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 51 Labour Market
Labour supply requirements may be drawn Summary of Potential Effects and from residents living near the Project and Mitigation Measures persons residing elsewhere in B.C., Canada, or internationally. Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures
Scope of the Effects Assessment Change in • Use local labour supply demand for direct as available The Labour Market assessment considers: and indirect • Augment and enhance the • The Project’s direct labour needs relative construction local labour supply: to the expected availability and type of phase labour • Provide support for skills of persons in the Local Assessment training and skill Area, the number of persons by development, focused occupation and industry affiliation, and the on increasing the availability of skilled local labour force and local labour market turnover rates participation rate • The indirect Project employment and skill level of LAA population (calculated using the British Columbia Input Output Model), and the number • Fund student bursaries of persons by occupation and for trades training industry affiliation • Support Aboriginal • A comparison of Project labour training initiatives and capacity building requirements against local labour supply and demand by skill category (baseline • Recruit, including and forecast) accessing labour pools outside of the region, Assessment Area and attract new entrants to the local labour force The Local Assessment Area for Labour Market comprises the Peace River Regional • Fund additional daycare District and the Northern Rockies Regional spaces in the Fort St. John area to support Municipality, which, together, are known spousal participation in as the Northeast Development Region. The the labour market Regional Assessment Area includes the Local Assessment Area plus the Fraser Fort George • Encourage Aboriginal Regional District (FFRD). participation in the workforce Baseline Conditions Key Findings: Labour Market Baseline conditions are described using information collected from literature Following the implementation of mitigation reviews, including First Nations community measures, no residual adverse effects are baseline profiles, local, provincial and federal expected on the Labour Market. government datasets, interviews with labour organizations and employment offices, and the results of consultation between BC Hydro and Aboriginal groups.
52 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 Regional Economic Development
Regional economic development is the Assessment Area change in areas of the economy, such as The Local Assessment Area for Regional business competitiveness, that contribute Economic Development includes the Peace to a region’s overall economy and standard River Regional District and the Northern of living. Expenditures made by the Project Rockies Regional Municipality, which would accrue to individuals, businesses, together comprise the boundaries of the B.C. and communities in the region, and thereby Northeast Development Region. The Northeast contribute to the development of the regional Development Region is a regional economic economy. Regional economic development unit with business services clustered in its is valued by communities because it southern communities of Fort St. John and represents opportunities for wealth creation Dawson Creek, and in the north in Fort Nelson. and contributes to community stability This is the geographical area where Project and strength. interactions with the regional economic Scope of the Effects Assessment development VC will occur. The Regional Economic Development The Regional Assessment Area consists of the assessment analyses potential effects Peace River Regional District, the Northern of the Project on regional business and Rockies Regional Municipality, and the Fraser contracting opportunities, capabilities Fort George Regional District. and capacity in consideration of regional Baseline Conditions business, and contracting characteristics. The assessment compares the Project’s Baseline conditions for each of the key contracting requirements with the regional indicators are described using information business and contracting profile, capabilities, collected from literature reviews, including and capacity, including consideration of local, provincial and federal government data, Aboriginal businesses. interviews with government officials, industry organizations, and economic development offices, data for Aboriginal businesses and peoples and First Nations communities, information provided by First Nations communities, and results of consultation between BC Hydro and Aboriginal groups.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 53 Regional Economic Development
Summary of Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures
Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures
Change in business opportunities • Continue the Project business liaison program during construction • Work with local Economic Development Commissions Change in Local Assessment Area and business organizations business and contracting profile, capabilities, and capacity during • Continue to deliver business information sessions construction • Broadly communicate contracting opportunities • Encourage use of, and participation in, the Project business directory • Apply BC Hydro Aboriginal procurement policy to increase Aboriginal participation in Project business opportunities • Seek information on Aboriginal businesses and capabilities
Key Findings: Regional Economic Beneficiaries would include suppliers in the Development following industries: construction, transport, The Project is anticipated to have beneficial finance, insurance, real estate, rental and effects on Regional Economic Development leasing services, manufacturing, professional, during construction, as opportunities would scientific and technical services, wholesale be created for businesses and contractors trade and operating, office, cafeteria, and directly involved in Project construction, as laboratory supplies. well as for those involved in industries and activities that would benefit from indirect and induced expenditures. The Project would increase regional business opportunities during construction and operations of the Project. In addition to total labour costs of $1.7 billion, direct purchases from supplier industries in B.C. are estimated to be $1.4 billion. Regional economic increases are estimated at $225 million in direct and indirect expenditures to businesses in the region, with an additional induced impact of approximately $100 million. This would accompany regional increases of $130 million in total GDP, $80 million in total household income, and 2,300 person years of total employment during construction. Total direct, indirect and induced regional supplier output is estimated to total approximately $320 million.
54 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 Current Use of Land and Resources for Traditional Purposes
The Project has the potential to change the 2. Hunting and trapping opportunities: the lands, water, or resources, or access to lands, LAA and RAA are based on the Wildlife water or resources used by Aboriginal groups Resources VC. for traditional purposes. 3. Cultural and traditional uses of the land: Scope of the Effects Assessment the LAA and RAA are based on the LAA and RAA for the Vegetation and Ecological Effects assessment for Current Use of Lands Communities VC. and Resources for Traditional Purposes considers changes to the following: Baseline Conditions • current use of lands and resources for Baseline conditions for current use of lands hunting, fishing, and trapping activities, and resources for hunting, fishing, and including the location of the activity, the trapping activities, and for current use of species targeted, and the traditional uses lands and resources for other activities were of the harvested animals; and described using information collected from: • current use of lands and resources for Project description and other project-related activities other than hunting, fishing, information, Project-specific Traditional and trapping, by Aboriginal groups, Land Use Studies, Community Baseline including nature, location, and traditional Reports, or other Project-related information use purposes. provided by Aboriginal groups at the time of writing that include information on past, Assessment Area current and future use of resources, Ethno- historical, anthropological and geographical Both the Local Assessment Area (LAA) and literature, results of BC Hydro consultation the Regional Assessment Area (RAA) for with Aboriginal groups, and results of the Fish the assessment of the potential effects of and Fish Habitat, Vegetation and Ecological the Project on the Current Use of Lands and Communities, and Wildlife Resources Resources for Traditional Purposes are based Effects Assessments. on the spatial boundaries set out in other sections of the EIS, as follows: 1. Fishing opportunities and practices: the LAA and RAA are based on the LAA and RAA for the Fish and Fish Habitat VC.
Summary of Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures
Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures
Changes in • Consult with Aboriginal groups respecting the development of fish and wildlife fishing, hunting habitat compensation programs that align with BC Hydro compensation programs. and trapping • Seek input from Aboriginal groups respecting mitigation strategies. opportunities and • Continue to consult with Aboriginal groups on clearing plans and protocols. practices • Develop a communications program to inform harvesters of planned or unplanned events related to construction activities that may affect fishing, hunting and trapping opportunities or access. • Develop a communications program to inform harvesters of longer term changes in fish community composition. • Implement mitigation measures set out in Fish and Fish Habitat, Wildlife Resources, and those set out in Harvest of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 55 Current Use of Land and Resources for Traditional Purposes
Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures
Changes in other • Work with Aboriginal groups to ground truth traditional land use information for cultural and specific areas within the Project activity zone prior to commencing construction traditional uses of Continue to consult with Aboriginal groups regarding clearing plans and protocols. the land • Develop a communications program to inform harvesters of planned or unplanned events that may affect opportunities to harvest plants, berries, and other resources. • Consult with Aboriginal groups respecting the development of habitat compensation projects that align with BC Hydro compensation programs. • Work with Aboriginal groups to identify permanent habitation structures used in the current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes that may be lost to inundation. Effects on cabins associated with tenured trap lines will be addressed as set out in the Harvest of Fish and Wildlife Resources VC. Where untenured cabins may be impacted by the Project, BC Hydro will work with Aboriginal individuals to determine appropriate measures that could be implemented. • Work with Aboriginal groups to identify potential sites for re-location of medicinal and food plants to compensate for areas that will be inundated. • Use only indigenous and/or non-invasive plants and grasses in re-vegetation programs associated with the Project. • Engage with Aboriginal groups around any reclamation phase that may present opportunities to restore ecological communities that support species of high traditional use value. • Provide support for the indigenous plant nursery owned by West Moberly and Saulteau First Nations located at Moberly Lake. The First Nations have a business plan to support propagation of a wide range of indigenous plant species for use in reclamation work. • Establish a Culture and Heritage Resources Committee to provide advice and guidance on the mitigation of specific effects of the Project on culture and heritage resources. The Committee would consist of BC Hydro officials and Aboriginal members whose communities are in the immediate vicinity of the Project. • Consider implementing, in consultation with Aboriginal groups and British Columbia where appropriate, the following potential initiatives: • the identification and naming of key cultural sites and the potential to integrate Aboriginal names into Project operations and sites; • recording of stories and history associated with key cultural sites that may be affected by the Project; • the protection and documentation, including mapping, of important Aboriginal trails and sites. • Contribute funding to support a youth culture camp that includes transfer of knowledge around medicinal and food plants; • Engage with Aboriginal groups to commemorate lost and/or inundated places; • Engage with Aboriginal groups around potential plans to undertake ceremonies prior to the commencement of construction on key elements of the Project; and • Develop and implement an education program respecting Aboriginal culture, history and use of lands and resources in the Project Area to be offered to all workers on the Project. • Implement all mitigation measures set out in Vegetation and Ecological Communities , Heritage Resources, and those measures supporting the development of new shoreline recreation sites in Outdoor Recreation and Tourism.
56 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 Current Use of Land and Resources for Traditional Purposes
Key Findings: Current Use of Lands and 3. Current use of lands and resources for Resources for Traditional Purposes traditional purposes – other cultural and traditional uses 1. Current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes - fishing Due to permanent loss of use of, and access to certain culturally important places and Fishing opportunities and practices of valued landscapes within the LAA, the use Blueberry River First Nations, Saulteau First of those areas by Blueberry River First Nations, Treaty 8 Tribal Association (Doig River, Nations, Saulteau First Nations, Treaty 8 Halfway River, Prophet River, and West Moberly Tribal Association (Doig River, Halfway River, First Nations), Duncan’s First Nation and Horse Prophet River, and West Moberly First Nations), Lake First Nation are expected to be adversely Duncan’s First Nation and Horse Lake First affected during construction and operation due Nation will be permanently impacted to reduced access to fishing areas (including potentially increased competition with non- For Blueberry River First Nations, Saulteau Aboriginal anglers), and potentially reduced First Nations and Treaty 8 Tribal Association success in harvest of targeted species. The (Doig River, Halfway River, Prophet River, and transformation of the river into a reservoir West Moberly First Nations), the effect on other would create a new and productive aquatic cultural and traditional uses is expected to be ecosystem. This new aquatic environment is significant at particular high value places along expected to support a community of equal or the Peace most notably at Bear Flats, Farrell greater productivity, however the composition Creek and Attachie. These spaces, identified of fish species would change. by these Aboriginal groups to be of high value will be inundated and access to them will be Although some aspects of the traditional permanently changed. For these reasons, a purpose of the activity may be altered by determination of significance has been made transferring them to another location, fishing for the potential adverse effect of the Project practices of Aboriginal people are adaptable, on Current Use of Lands and Resources for spatially and temporally. For these reasons, Traditional Purposes. a determination of significance has not been made.
2. Current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes – hunting and trapping Hunting and trapping opportunities and practices of Blueberry River First Nations, Saulteau First Nations, Treaty 8 Tribal Association (Doig River, Halfway River, Prophet River, and West Moberly First Nations), Duncan’s First Nation, Horse Lake First Nation and Dene Tha’ First Nation may be adversely affected due to temporary reductions in availability of targeted species and temporarily reduced access to hunting areas during construction. As the effect would be temporary in nature and may be accommodated in other areas of the LAA, the traditional purpose of the activity would not be undermined. Therefore, a determination of significance has not been made for the potential effects of the Project on current use of lands and resources for hunting and trapping.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 57 Agriculture
Agriculture is an important component of the Change to the agricultural economy considers economy in the Peace region. The effect of the the following key indicators: Project on the valued component of agriculture • Agricultural costs and revenues at the is assessed considering the interactions individual farm level between the Project and the four key aspects of agricultural land base, farm operations, the • Primary agricultural economic activity agricultural economy, and food production • Opportunities for potential new agricultural and consumption. economic activity
Scope of Effects Assessment • Secondary agricultural economic activity The effect of the Project on the valued Changes to regional food production and component of agriculture is assessed consumption consider the following key considering the interactions between the indicators: regional food production and food Project and the four key aspects. consumption. Loss of agricultural land considers the Assessment Area following key indicators: The Local Assessment Area for changes • Land capability ratings (soil and climatic to the agricultural land base and changes capability) to individual farm operations includes the • Crop suitability Project activity zone plus the remainder of any farm operations that overlap with the Project • Agricultural land use and Crown land activity zone. tenures The Local Assessment Area for changes to • Agricultural utility (reflects relative agricultural economic activity and changes to likelihood of cultivation) food production and consumption includes the Effects on individual farm operations consider entire Peace Agricultural Region (Peace River the following key indicators: Regional District and the Northern Rockies • Direct loss of land Regional Municipality). • Changes to access routes The Regional Assessment Area includes the entire Peace Agricultural Region. • Loss of farm infrastructure • Soil disturbance and compaction Baseline Conditions • Changes to livestock movement patterns Baseline conditions for each of the key indicators are described using information • Changes to irrigation and livestock collected from: watering facilities • Literature reviews including local, • Changes to local hydrology and provincial and federal government datasets groundwater • Field surveys • Changes to drainage patterns • Orthophotographs and spatial analysis • Introduction and proliferation of invasive plant species • Interviews with land owners and operators, relevant agricultural associations, • Increased biosecurity risks representatives of agriculturally related • Farm worker safety industries and representatives of government agencies • Reservoir induced changes to microclimate on adjacent agricultural operations
58 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 Agriculture
Summary of Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures
Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures
Temporary loss of Implement Environmental Management Plans agricultural land • Soil Management, Site Restoration, and Revegetation Plan (construction and operations) • Borrow and Quarry Sites Reclamation Plan • Vegetation and Invasive Plant Management Plan Permanent loss of Implement mitigation measures including: agricultural land • Irrigation improvements (construction and operations) • Drainage improvements • Relocation of suitable quality soil in selected locations • Inclusion of land in the Agricultural Land Reserve • Agricultural compensation fund Effects on individual Acquire land required for the Project and reimburse associated farm operations during financial losses construction Implement environmental management plans, including: • Soil Management, Site Restoration and Revegetation Plan • Vegetation and Invasive Plant Management Plan (including biosecurity protocols) • Traffic Management Plan • Public Safety Management Plan Effects on individual Evaluate effects at a property level and enter into agreements with farm operations during affected landowners to mitigate in the event of: Project operations • Crop and stored feed damage due to changes in wildlife habitat utilization • Crop drying due to changes in climatic factors • Crop production due to changes in groundwater elevation • Potential for unauthorized access to farm properties due to change in land or waterbased access • Livestock damage due to new access to the reservoir Change to agricultural Implement an Agricultural Compensation Fund economic activity (construction and operations) Change to regional No changes anticipated to regional food self-reliance food production and consumption during construction and operations
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 59 Agriculture
Monitoring Key Findings: Agriculture For reservoir adjacent agricultural operations The creation of the reservoir and other Project where there is not already an agreement with activities would result in the permanent loss BC Hydro, the Proponent will monitor specific of 3,433 hectares of Class 1 through 3 lands, environmental factors, and evaluate associated of which approximately 1,299 hectares have potential effects on: high agricultural utility, and 367 hectares have • Crop and stored feed damage due to moderate agricultural utility. Approximately changes in wildlife habitat utilization 541 ha of land within the Project activity zone is currently cultivated and used for canola, grain, • Crop drying due to changes in forage, and improved pasture. climatic factors While there would be a significant loss of • Crop production due to changes in land with agricultural capability, overall groundwater elevation agriculture production in the region would be • Potential for unauthorized access to expected to improve with implementation of farm properties due to change in land or the proposed agricultural compensation fund. waterbased access These improvements would mitigate the loss of current and potential production from lands • Livestock damage due to new access to affected by the Project. the reservoir Annual monitoring will be done for a minimum The mitigation measures described above of five years following reservoir filling. would mitigate the Project effects on agricultural production and agricultural The Proponent will also monitor climatic economies. Therefore, a determination factors relevant to future irrigation of significance has not been made for improvement decisions that may be proposed Agriculture. under the agricultural compensation fund. Annual monitoring will be undertaken from 2022 to 2032.
60 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 Forestry
The Forestry assessment considers changes Summary of Potential Effects and in land use, resource use, access and activities Mitigation Measures related to industrial forest use, and changes in land use that affect Crown forest management. Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures The assessment considers the following Change in land No change anticipated to key indicators: use, resource industrial forest use • Timber harvesting land base use, access, and activities related • Site productivity to industrial forestry use • Annual Allowable Cut Change in land The province would use • Inventory of timber in the project use that affects existing policies to manage clearing plan Crown Forest changes to Old Growth • Harvest trends Management Management Areas and one wood lot license area • Forest sector employment • B.C. government stumpage revenue Key Findings: Forestry Assessment Area The Project activity zone would overlap less than 0.02% of the total timber harvesting land The Local Assessment Area for forestry is the base on which industrial forestry activities Project activity zone. The Regional Assessment occur, therefore, there would not be an Area is composed of three forest management expected change to the annual allowable units: Dawson Creek TSA, Fort St. John TSA, cut or to licence quotas to harvest Crown and the Peace River supply block of Tree Farm timber. In addition, the region’s established Licence (TFL) 48. timber mills have the capacity to process the Baseline Conditions merchantable timber volumes associated with the clearing volumes. Baseline conditions are described using information collected from: For these reasons, no adverse residual effects are anticipated on forestry associated with • The Project Vegetation, Clearing and Debris the Project. Management Plan • Field surveys and forest inventories • Existing literature, government forest management reports • Interviews with forest industry stakeholders • GIS analysis of spatial components • Aboriginal and traditional community knowledge related to forestry
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 61 Oil, Gas and Energy
The Oil, Gas and Energy assessment Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures considers the Project’s interactions with the land base and with the oil, gas, and energy Access to oil and • Access to resources would industry activity. gas resources and not be restricted. No industry activity mitigation required Scope of Effects Assessment (construction) The assessment considers changes in land and resource use for tenured oil, gas, and Monitoring energy activities, operations, and facilities, Spectra Energy operates a gas plant and changes in access for oil and gas downstream of the Project. While studies industry activities. undertaken show there is a potential change Assessment Area to water temperature and sediment transport The Local Assessment Area and Regional expected due to the Project, whether or not Assessment Area for the assessment of the this would lead to an actual adverse effect Valued Component of oil, gas and energy is the on Spectra Energy’s operations can only be Project activity zone. determined through a monitoring program. Therefore, it is recommended that BC Hydro Baseline Conditions and Spectra Energy develop a monitoring Baseline conditions for each of the key program for the construction phase to identify indicators are described using information change to Peace River sediment at the Spectra collected from: intakes, and for the first 10 years of the • Literature reviews including local, operations phase, to identify change to water provincial and federal government datasets temperature at the Spectra intakes and related • Orthophotographs, spatial analysis, adverse effects on their cooler operations. If it and mapping is determined that there is an adverse effect • Interviews with land owners and operators, on Spectra operations, BC Hydro will work with relevant agricultural associations, Spectra to develop a mitigation plan. representatives of agriculturally related Key Findings: Oil, Gas and Energy industries and representatives of government agencies The Project would occupy a negligible portion, about 0.11%, of the total petroleum and • Results of consultation between BC Hydro natural gas tenure area in the Peace River and Aboriginal groups Regional District. Small scale hydro, wind Summary of Potential Effects and power, and biomass energy production projects Mitigation Measures are not currently proposed within the Local Assessment Area. Where the Project’s use Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures of land affects existing tenured oil, gas, and energy industry activity or infrastructure, Change in land • Conclude agreements and and resource use, implement any agreed agreements would be concluded and provisions and oil and gas to provisions, where implemented where appropriate with affected infrastructure appropriate, with third- third Party tenure holders. (construction and party tenure holders operations) With agreements in place with third • Implement monitoring party tenure holders as required, and measures for infrastructure that implementation of monitoring at Spectra could be affected by Energy, and if necessary, mitigation measures, the Project; if adverse no residual adverse effects are anticipated. effects are identified, work with affected party to identify and implement appropriate mitigation
62 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 Minerals and Aggregates
The Project’s use of land would overlap with Baseline Conditions areas where potential exists for mineral and Baseline conditions for each of the key aggregate production, or where there are indicators are described using information existing quarries or pits. The Project’s effects collected from existing literature, including on minerals and aggregates are assessed provincial mineral and aggregate databases in consideration of the changes to land use, and reports, interviews with Ministry of resource use, and access, the Project’s use Transportation and Infrastructure staff, of local aggregate for construction activities, field investigations to identify the location, and any new or improved access to aggregate quality and quantity of materials within the sources created by the Project. Project activity zone as potential construction Scope of Effects Assessment materials sources, GIS analysis to estimate Project overlap with mineral and aggregate The assessment considers changes in land resources. Where relevant, Aboriginal use, resource use, access, and activities community and traditional knowledge was related to aggregate utilization using the reviewed for information related to the following indicators: minerals and aggregates. • Metal, industrial mineral and aggregate potential Summary of Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures • Record of exploration and development • Historic production record Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures
• Remaining mine or pit life Change to land Negotiate a Memorandum • Existing mineral and aggregate tenures use, resource of Understanding (MOU) use, access, and with the BC Ministry • Mineral reserves activities related of Transportation and The Project’s consumption of local aggregate to industrial Infrastructure to compensate deposits for construction activities considers mineral and for material used by the the volume of aggregate material expected to aggregate Project and to maintain be purchased by the Project relative to local utilization during material availability for construction ministry operational needs. market conditions, and the local and regional MOU to include: aggregate pricing and current and forecast • aggregate source consumption profile. Any new or improved strategy to compensate access to aggregate sources created by the for inundated Ministry Project are also considered. aggregate sources • BC Hydro commitment Assessment Area to stockpile surplus rock The Minerals and Aggregates Local material at the West Pine, Assessment Area is the Project activity Wuthrich, and Portage quarries and make zone, plus the area within the Five-Year Beach them available for other Line, which is the area where the Project aggregate users occupation of the land base would interact with the exploration or development of minerals and Key Findings: Minerals and Aggregates aggregates. The Regional Assessment Area is the north Peace area, including the City of Fort No residual adverse effects on minerals St. John, the districts of Taylor and Hudson’s and aggregates are anticipated following Hope, and Peace River Regional District Area C. application of the proposed mitigation measures, and conclusion of agreements where appropriate with affected third Party mineral and aggregate tenure holders.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 63 Harvest of Fish and Wildlife Resources
The Peace River and surrounding area is used Assessment Area for the harvest of fish and wildlife resources. The Local Assessment Area for Harvest of The Project is expected to have effects on Fish and Wildlife Resources is the Project the use of, and access to, harvesting areas activity zone, the area within reservoir impact (including tenured harvesting areas), and lines, and the Peace River downstream to has the potential to affect the availability of the Alberta border. This includes the areas harvested species. The Project would affect that may be changed due to Project activities these opportunities through physical change where changes in the land or setting would of the land base. The Project effects on the affect harvesting activities, or which overlap harvest of fish and wildlife resources are with administrative boundaries for harvesting assessed by considering Project changes to the related tenures and licences, including the use of, and access to, hunting, fishing, trapline, Peace River downstream to the Alberta border and guide outfitter areas, tenures areas, or the for fishing activities. The Regional Assessment availability of harvested species based on the Area is the Peace River Regional District, and results of the assessment of the Project on fish corresponds to the administrative boundary and wildlife resources. within which the Project resides.
Scope of Effects Assessment Baseline Conditions The assessment of changes to fishing Baseline conditions for each of the key opportunities, hunting opportunities and indicators are described using information harvesting areas considers public hunting collected from: and fishing licence sales, areas, and harvest information, including numbers and species, • B.C. Ministry of Forestry, Lands and and angler creel surveys. Natural Resource Operations data • Reports on creel survey and other fishing The assessment of changes in trapping survey results opportunities considers tenured trapline areas, infrastructure, harvest volumes and areas, and • Public hunting data acquired from B.C. operating information, as well as Aboriginal Ministry of Forestry, Lands and Natural employment or use of tenured traplines. Resource Operations The assessment of changes in guide outfitting • Fishing data acquired from B.C. activities considers tenured guide outfitter Ministry of Forestry, Lands and Natural areas, infrastructure, harvest volumes and Resource Operations areas, and operating information, as well • Trapline tenure and harvest data acquired as Aboriginal participation in tenured guide from provincial government sources outfitting operations. • Guide outfitting data acquired from B.C. Ministry of Forestry, Lands and Natural Resource Operations • Orthophotographs and spatial analysis • Field visits and surveys • Interviews with government representatives, trappers, and guide outfitters with tenures in the Project activity zone, and hunting and fishing group representatives • Results of consultation between BC Hydro and Aboriginal groups
64 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 Harvest of Fish and Wildlife Resources
Summary of Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures
Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures
Changes in fishing and • Implement Outdoor Recreation and Tourism mitigation measures hunting opportunities that support recreational shoreline use, boating access, and (construction) waterbased navigation to mitigate construction effects on fishing and hunting opportunities • Implement Fish and Fish Habitat, and Wildlife Resources mitigation measures that support fish and wildlife populations to mitigate construction effects on fishing and hunting opportunities Changes in level of use • No changes anticipated of harvesting areas (construction) Changes in trapping • Implement Wildlife Resources mitigation measures that support opportunities fur-bearing populations to support the availability of harvestable (construction) species for trapping • Conclude agreements and implement any agreed-to provisions, where appropriate, with third-party tenured trapline holders Changes in guide outfitter • Provide communications regarding area or road closures to help activities (construction) outfitters plan their guided activities to avoid conflict with the Project • Implement Outdoor Recreation and Tourism mitigation measures that support recreational shoreline use, boating access, and waterbased navigation to mitigate construction effects on guide- outfitting opportunities • Implement Wildlife Resources mitigation measures that support game populations to support the availability of harvestable species for guide outfitting activities • Conclude agreements and implement any agreed-to provisions, where appropriate, with third-party tenured guide-outfitters Changes in hunting and • No changes anticipated fishing opportunities (operations) Changes in trapping • Conclude agreements and implement any agreed-to provisions, opportunities (operations) where appropriate, with third-party tenured trapline holders Changes in guide outfitter • Implement Wildlife Resources mitigation measures that support activities (operations) game populations to support the availability of harvestable species for guide outfitting activities
Key Findings: Harvest of Fish and A residual adverse effect is expected due to Wildlife Resources some temporary losses of fishing and hunting opportunities during construction. Overall, Hunting would continue in areas around the fishing opportunities would increase during Site C reservoir and bag limits would not operations, catch limits would not be expected be expected to be reduced as a result of the to be reduced, hunting would continue in areas Project. Where the Project adversely affects around the Site C reservoir, and bag limits existing tenured guide-outfitters or trapline would not be expected to be reduced as a result holders, agreements will be concluded and of the Project. Therefore, the effects are not any provisions of those agreements will be considered to be significant. implemented, where appropriate with affected third Party tenure holders.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 65 Outdoor Recreation and Tourism
The Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Assessment Area assessment considers the Project’s The Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Local interactions with outdoor recreation and Assessment Area is the Project activity zone, tourism features, amenities, sites, activities, the area within the reservoir impact lines and visitor levels, and use levels. the Peace River downstream to Peace Island Scope of the Effects Assessment Park by Taylor. The Regional Assessment Area is the Peace River Regional District. Changes in outdoor recreation and tourism infrastructure are considered using the Baseline Conditions following indicators: Baseline conditions for each of the key • Outdoor recreation features and amenities, indicators are described using information including recreation sites, trails, parks, collected from: and Peace River Boudreau Lakes proposed • Government and industry databases of protected area recreation and tourism sites, infrastructure • Tourism features and amenities, including and tenures visitor centres, tourist accommodations, • A two year Peace River recreation and and attractions angler survey • Commercial outdoor recreation interests • Interviews with local recreation groups, • Recreation activities undertaken on the tourism operators and representatives of land base, including activities, locations, government ministries and seasonal nature of activities • GIS analysis to estimate the Project overlap The assessment of changes to outdoor with outdoor recreation and tourism recreation use levels and regional tourism resources visitor levels considers outdoor recreation use • Aboriginal community and traditional levels, and regional tourism visitor levels. knowledge was reviewed for information related to the Outdoor Recreation and Tourism
66 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 Outdoor Recreation and Tourism
Summary of Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures
Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures
Changes • Establish and operate three new permanent reservoir launches and day in outdoor use sites (Cache Creek and Lynx Creek trailer launches and Hudson’s Hope recreation Shoreline Protection small craft launch) to replace flooded boat launch areas and tourism • Identify public communications procedures for public safety hazards, and infrastructure access restrictions and closures during construction of the dam using a Public Safety Management Plan • Provide funds to the District of Hudson’s Hope for the enhancement of Alwin Holland Park or other community shoreline recreation areas • Provide a Community Recreation Site Fund to support development of new shoreline recreation sites on the reservoir and on the Peace River and tributaries between the Project and the Alberta border • Provide technical support to outdoor recreation providers who require access to the reservoir to assist with their development along, or adaptation to, new shoreline conditions • Establish a permanent north bank dam site public viewpoint Change in The Project is anticipated to increase recreation and tourism use levels during outdoor construction, and would not require specific mitigation measures. Implementing recreation and the following housing measures would also support recreation and tourism use: tourism use • Work with the private sector and local government to develop new RV sites levels • Implement on-site workforce housing Changes • Develop a Public Safety Management Plan that will identify public in outdoor communications procedures for public safety hazards, and access restrictions recreation and closures during operation and tourism • Identify public communications procedures for public safety hazards, and infrastructure access restrictions and closures during operation • Fund the development of a Peace River and Site C Reservoir Navigation and Recreation Opportunities Plan
Key Findings: Outdoor Recreation BC Hydro will provide replacement boat and Tourism launches and day use areas in the reservoir Some recreation opportunities would be and will implement a number of measures temporarily reduced for short periods during to support other community groups and the construction phase, and while new the District of Hudson’s Hope in developing infrastructure is being developed. As a result, new reservoir recreation infrastructure. during construction, a residual adverse effect is Therefore, for the operations phase, recreation expected due to temporary losses of recreation and tourism are expected to benefit due to and tourism access and infrastructure. new recreation opportunities. As a result, a determination of significance on outdoor recreation and tourism has not been made.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 67 Navigation
The Navigation assessment considers changes Assessment Area and potential effects to water-based navigation The Local Assessment Area and Regional (navigation) and air navigation (aviation). These Assessment Area for navigation is the Project include Project-related changes to navigability activity zone, the Peace River downstream to and navigation use of water bodies, aviation Peace Island Park, and the locations of the routes and visibility, and operation of the ferry Shaftesbury and Tompkins Landing ice bridges. and ice bridge crossings of the Peace River at Shaftesbury and Tompkins Landing in Alberta. The aviation Local Assessment Area represents the area around the North Peace Regional Scope of Effects Assessment Airport in which potential adverse effects are The assessment of changes to navigability and assessed from a land use perspective. The navigation use of defined navigable waters Regional Assessment Area includes the area considers the following indicators: from North Peace Regional Airport to the crest of the proposed Site C dam. • Defined existing navigable waters using the methodology outlined in the River Baseline Conditions Classification System established for rivers Baseline conditions for each of the key in B.C. indicators are described using information • Current navigation use (e.g., vessel/ collected from literature reviews and technical boat traffic) of the defined navigable data reports, orthophotographs and spatial waters for transportation, recreation, and analysis, field visits and surveys, interviews commercial purposes with local government representatives and • Navigation hazards in waterways recreational interest groups, and the results of consultation between BC Hydro and The assessment of navigation use restrictions Aboriginal groups. considers current navigation use of the defined navigable waters for transportation, recreation, and commercial purposes. The assessment of changes to aviation use at the North Peace Regional Airport considers air navigation routes and current aviation visibility. The assessment of aviation use and visibility of structures and overhead wiring considers air navigation routes. The assessment of changes to the operation of ice bridges consider operations for ferries and ice bridges at Shaftesbury and Tompkins Landing.
68 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 Navigation
Summary of Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures
Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures
Changes to navigability, • Provide recreational boaters with information about restricted navigational use, navigation zones at the dam site, any temporary navigation or boat and access during launch access closures associated with active work areas for reservoir construction clearing, Highway 29 relocation, and Hudson’s Hope shoreline protection construction, as part of the Public Safety Management Plan • Build three boat launches along the reservoir accessible via Highway 29 to support navigability and navigational use • BC Hydro will fund community groups to support re-establishment of recreational sites on the reservoir and downstream, and to re-establish and create new use patterns and access • BC Hydro will provide technical support to outdoor recreational providers to facilitate further public and private sector investment opportunities associated with the use of the reservoir and downstream • BC Hydro will fund the development of a Navigation and Recreation Opportunities Plan intended to enable the local communities to plan for boating and recreation opportunities created by the reservoir Navigation use • BC Hydro’s Public Safety Management Plan and supporting boater restrictions during communication protocols, inclusive of adhering to the Canadian Dam construction Association Guidelines for Public Safety Around Dams, will address navigability and navigational use, and the identification of potential hazards and interferences in waterways • Provide public communication about areas that remain open to navigation and are accessible during construction (inclusive of boat launches and other public access) Changes to navigability, • Provide boater communications to enable trip planning and safety navigational use, for boaters’ recreational boating activities in consideration of any and access during temporary navigation restrictions or public safety concerns during the operations early years of the reservoir operations Potential navigational • Communicate navigational hazards to boaters and supporting boater hazards in waterways communication protocols during the operations phase through the during operations Public Safety Management Plans. Signage, as required, will be provided in accordance with the Guidelines for Public Safety Around Dams
Monitoring Key Findings: Navigation BC Hydro will regularly monitor shoreline The dam and associated permanent restriction conditions during the early years of Site C to navigation would result in an adverse reservoir operations, and the shoreline residual effect that remains after mitigation monitoring program results will support measures are in place. However, new types implementation of the Public Safety of navigable uses on the reservoir would Management Plan boater communication be available during Project operations. protocols related to managing navigation Considering all aspects of Navigation, and hazards and public safety within the Reservoir. implementation of the mitigation measures, the Project’s net effect on navigation is considered not significant.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 69 Visual Resources
Visual resources would be affected within and Summary of Potential Effects and around the Project activity zone as the Project Mitigation Measures would introduce permanent, visible features to the landscape. The key indicators for this effect Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures are the visibility of Project components from selected sites and viewpoints, and predicted Changes to • Restore and re-vegetate scenic values. visual resources disturbed surfaces in (construction construction areas after Scope of the Effects Assessment phase) disturbance activities cease in accordance The assessment of changes to visual resources with the Project Soil considers representative viewpoints, including Management, Site provincial Visual Landscape Inventory sites, Restoration, and and sites identified during field reconnaissance, Revegetation Plan that offer views of the reservoir and dam site. • Landscape the shoreline The Local Assessment Area is the area within protection in Hudson’s an 8 km buffer around the largest visible Hope Project features (reservoir, dam site, and • Paint permanent buildings transmission line) and within a 1 km buffer and other above ground around smaller visible Project components structures to blend in (quarried and excavated materials, worker with the character of the accommodation). The Regional Assessment surrounding environment Area is identical to the Local Assessment Area. where possible • Select previously Baseline Conditions disturbed areas or areas Baseline conditions for the key indicators generally hidden from are determined using Project information view for the potential (dimensions of Project components), the offsite workforce accommodation camps, Provincial Visual Landscape Inventory, where feasible representative sites selected from baseline viewpoints, GIS-based visibility analysis, field Key Findings: Visual Resources investigations and site visits, and Aboriginal community and traditional knowledge related The change in the visible landscape from a to visual resources. river valley to a reservoir could be considered either a positive or negative change by stakeholders, depending on the personal values placed on the existing river valley landscape. The effects of the Project on visual resources are not predicted to exceed the existing level of visible anthropogenic disturbances, including industrial and human developments. Effects on visual resources are not considered to be significant because the environment has been previously disturbed.
70 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 Population and Demographics
An in-migration of workers would result in a Baseline Conditions change to local population and demographics, Baseline conditions for each of the key as the Project demand for skilled labour during indicators are described using information construction would exceed the local labour collected from: supply. This population change would have the potential to affect the demand for housing, • Literature reviews including local, community infrastructure and services. provincial and federal datasets • Project labour estimates and population Scope of Effects Assessment model The assessment of Project effects on • Interviews with community officials, Population and Demographics considers construction industry representatives and the Project demand for labour, workforce labour representatives accommodation plans, current and forecasted population, demographics, and household size • Results of consultation between and characteristics. BC Hydro and Aboriginal groups
Assessment Area The potential Project related effects on population and demographics are directly related to the potential effects of the Project on the labour market. Therefore, the Local Assessment Area is the Peace River Regional District. The majority of existing residents in the Peace River Regional District are within commuting distance of the Project. Most workers who choose to relocate to the area would likely live in close proximity to the Project work site. As a result, the assessment specifically focuses on potential population changes in Fort St. John. The Regional Assessment Area is the same as the Local Assessment Area, as it includes the area where other projects may result in changes to the labour market and associated regional population levels.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 71 Population and Demographics
Summary of Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures
Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures
Changes to PRRD population, with • Implement mitigation measures proposed for the Labour specific reference to City of Fort Market and Housing VCs, including the provision of camp St. John accommodation, to moderate growth of the local population • Implement mitigation measures proposed for the Community Infrastructure and Services VC to mitigate the effects of an increased local population Changes to Aboriginal community • Support Aboriginal persons in maintaining permanent populations residence in home communities by providing camp housing and commuter support where demand warrants • Implement workforce management policies to require contractors to offer crosscultural awareness training to their workers, and to adopt and monitor codes of conduct. BC Hydro will work with local area First Nations to develop and deliver the crosscultural awareness training
Key Findings: Population and Demographics The region’s economy is characterized by The regional population forecast, even without major development cycles and construction the Project, is for substantial growth over projects, which have resulted in high in- and the next 20 years. The effect of the Project out-migration levels over the last decade. would be to advance this expected population The changes to population expected from the growth during construction by about two Project are not outside the recent fluctuations years. Following construction the population experienced in the region, and thus, following is expected to return to near base case the implementation of mitigation measures, conditions. the effect is not anticipated to be significant.
72 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 Housing
The Project demand for labour during Baseline Conditions construction is expected to result in an Baseline conditions for housing are described inmigration of workers and a change in using information from existing literature and local population, and would become a housing statistics from Statistics Canada, driver of demand for local housing. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, assessment of effects on housing takes into BC Stats, local governments, First Nation account the Project plans to provide worker communities, real estate organizations, accommodation, and the current capacity of the regional housing studies undertaken by local housing market to respond to increased local governments, and interviews with demand. representatives of government, housing Scope of the Effects Assessment and real estate organizations, non- market housing providers, and temporary Change in the demand for housing considers accommodation providers. the following key indicators: • Occupancy and vacancy rates • Occupancy costs • Multiple Listing Service activity • Residential construction activity • Planned housing developments and land available for housing • Housing ownership and type
Assessment Area The Local Assessment Area is the Peace River Regional District, which aligns with the assessment areas for Labour Market and Population and Demographics. As with population, the communities nearest to the Project, Fort St. John, District of Taylor, and PRRD Area C, are where the majority of inmigrating new residents would be expected to live and, therefore, where demand for housing would be expected to change. The Regional Assessment Area is the same as the Local Assessment Area.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 73 Housing
Summary of Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures
Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures
Change in the demand for housing • Scale camp capacity up or down as required to accommodate during construction direct workers • Provide logistical assistance to the Project workforce seeking local accommodation, through a community camp coordinator • Build approximately 40 new permanent housing units to be used by the construction workforce in the Fort St. John area, to expand the supply of rental housing. Transition the units to permanent affordable housing use after construction • Build up to 10 new affordable housing units to be used by the community in the Fort St. John area, in partnership with BC Housing, to expand the supply of affordable housing • Expand the supply of temporary accommodation by expanding the supply of long-stay RV sites in partnership with the private sector or local governments • Pre-book hotel and motel space when substantial temporary hotel accommodations are required • Provide financial support to emergency or transitional housing providers in the Fort St. John area
Key Findings: Housing The provision of workforce camps and new in-community housing units are proposed to mitigate effects on housing. The project demand for rental housing has the potential to create low vacancy rates when labour requirements and population effects are peaking, which is expected to be low in magnitude and duration as the market responds. Because the housing market is expected to respond to the change in demand, and new units are, and will continue to be, built in response to increased demand, the residual effect of the Project on housing is not anticipated to be significant. As the market response may be delayed, the rental market vacancy rate and price will be monitored throughout the construction phase. Other mitigation measures will be implemented as required in consultation with the local community.
74 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 Community Infrastructure and Services
Population change and changes to the physical Assessment Area land base as a result of the Project would have The Local Assessment Area includes the City of the potential to affect community infrastructure Fort St. John, the District of Taylor, the District and services provided to residents that live in of Hudson’s Hope, the District of Chetwynd, proximity to the Project. The project effects the City of Dawson Creek, and the Peace River on community infrastructure and services Regional District. were assessed by taking into consideration changes in the demand for, or the provision of, Baseline Conditions community, emergency, education and health, Baseline conditions for each of the key and social services, and specific displacement indicators are described using information of, or effects to, infrastructure, such as sewer collected from: and water systems. • Literature reviews, including First Nations, Scope of Effects Assessment local, provincial and federal datasets The assessment of changes to the demand • Project labour estimates and a Project for, or provision of, community, emergency, population model education, and health and social services • Interviews with municipal government, and facilities considers the following provincial government, key service indicators: providers, and post-secondary • Health and social services: Vital statistics, representatives medical service expenditures; medical and • Results of consultation between BC Hydro dental facilities; practitioner numbers and and Aboriginal groups services • Emergency services: Police, court, fire protection, ambulance services; provincial emergency planning • Education services: Public schools; private schools; postsecondary institutions • Community services: Recreation and leisure facilities, sewer and water services The assessment also considers potential displacement to, or effects on, local government infrastructure, such as water and sanitary sewer systems, whose functionality may be directly affected by Project components.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 75 Community Infrastructure and Services
Summary of Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures
Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures Change in Health and Social Services: demand for, or • Provide health care services (e.g. doctor, nurse) for Project workforce provision of, • Provide Northern Health with workforce and camp population statistics to help services plan for service levels • Provide new families with local information package about health, education, and social services • Fund additional daycare spaces in the Fort St. John area Emergency Services: • Communicate project management plans and activities to emergency service providers • Provide security, firefighting, first aid, and medical transport services for all Project construction sites and activities • Implement policies on safe living and work environment • Implement traffic management plan • Provide direct funding to the RCMP during construction to increase policing in the region • Provide on-site first aid and emergency transport • Provide on-site firefighting services • Develop Project emergency plans, including integration with existing BC Hydro Peace River facilities Education Services: • Provide funding to Northern Opportunities to support their pre-apprenticeship program • Provide early notice to education institutions for planning purposes • Partner with education institutions on training Recreation and Leisure Services: • Provide recreation facilities and programming at the camps for workforce • Work with the City of Fort St. John on potential workforce policies or service agreements regarding use of community leisure and recreation facilities Solid Waste: • Implement construction waste management plan, including waste reduction and recycling policies, and management of industrial waste • Coordinate waste management planning with PRRD • Deliver and stockpile landfill cover material for Fort St. John landfill Sewer and Water: • Evaluate options to integrate sewer and water systems required for the workforce camps to provide lasting benefits to the City of Fort St. John system Displacement of • Fund relocation of Hudson’s Hope water intake, pumping station, Infrastructure and treatment plant • Work with each local government to develop an approach to determine or monitor the effects of the Project on the Hudson’s Hope sewage lagoon, Fort St. John water supply (production and access), Taylor water supply (well site access), and PRRD’s Charlie Lake outfall. BC Hydro would fund appropriate mitigation measures to maintain functionality of these municipal systems if adverse effects from the Project are identified.
76 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 Community Infrastructure and Services
Key Findings: Community Infrastructure BC Hydro will continue discussions with local and Services governments toward community agreements The regional population forecast is for that will include consideration of any specific substantial growth in the region even without effects on their communities. Where the Project the Project. Therefore, demand on the region’s would displace or impair the functioning of community infrastructure and services is municipal infrastructure, appropriate measures expected to increase even without the Project. would be implemented, funded by BC Hydro, to In effect, the Project would advance expected maintain the functionality of these systems. population growth during construction by about Project effects on policing would be driven by two years. population change, by the Project’s increased The Project may affect local government use of roads, and the presence of the camp infrastructure, and where an adverse effect is population. Therefore, BC Hydro will provide identified, BC Hydro would fund appropriate funds to support the RCMP in providing mitigation measures to maintain the incremental policing. functionality of these municipal systems. As the workforce accommodation will be self The increased Project demand for health sufficient and designed to accommodate the and social services associated with the vast majority of worker needs, it is expected incremental population gain is not expected that there will be limited additional demand for to create capacity issues with major facilities community infrastructure and services from and services. However, it is expected to create the Project. In addition, BC Hydro is proposing additional demand where there are currently mitigation measures that are expected to wait-lists to access programs and services, and address the temporary Project effects. As a where Northern Health experiences challenges result, a determination of significance has in recruiting health care specialists. Northern not been made for Community Infrastructure Health and other service providers would not and Services. experience effects that they have not regularly addressed over the last decade with major development projects. Project induced population increases that would affect provincially funded services would be addressed through existing provincial budget planning. The provision of forecast and actual labour information will help these agencies plan for projected increases, alongside their usual sources of information for future planning. For example, Northern Health is expected to plan for increased levels of health services in consideration of new Project-related permanent residents in the area, and the need for potential additional hospital services for the on-site workforce. Project induced population increases would also result in a higher local tax base, which would support local government in increasing their service levels.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 77 Transportation
The transportation system supports road, Assessment Area rail, and air travel. During construction the The Local Assessment Area for transportation Project would use existing roads and railways, is the road and rail networks within the Project or would develop new roads, to move people, activity zone, including the surrounding equipment, goods, and materials to and from road networks that would be used during construction and operational sites, potentially construction, and the segment of Highway 97 creating traffic delays and affecting road safety. between Taylor and Dawson Creek. The Scope of the Assessment assessment area includes the North Peace Regional Airport. The transportation assessment considers potential effects of the Project on: The Regional Assessment Area comprises the Peace River Regional District, which • Change in local road traffic volumes encompasses a broader area and its major • Change in road safety during construction, road networks. Other projects and activities due to increases in traffic volumes, and within this larger area would use many of the upgrades to roads same major road networks as the Project.
• Change in road safety during operations, Baseline Conditions due to potential change in fog hours on roads Baseline conditions for each of the key indicators are described using information • Change in use of the airport collected from Project planning for • Change in rail use transportation routes and road improvements, Project traffic analysis and road safety analysis, regional transportation studies and traffic counts, and interviews with representatives of local and provincial governments.
78 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 Transportation
Summary of Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures
Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures
Minor traffic delays Highway 29 North Decline in level of service • Implement Traffic Management Plans, including Traffic Control Plans, Public Information on some roads and at some Plans, Incident Plans, and Implementation Plans intersections • Realign Highway 29, incorporating improvements for sections of the highway that would be inundated by the reservoir between Hudson’s Hope and Bear Flat Potential for impeded access to and egress from • On Canyon Drive west of Hudson’s Hope, construct a paved brake check before the start of properties on some roads the 10% grade, and make it a mandatory requirement for Project-related trucks to stop and check vehicle brakes Small increase in collision frequency due to increased • Explore opportunities for constructing, and install if feasible, either arrestor beds or traffic on some routes runaway lanes, or both, on Canyon Drive above Hudson’s Hope Lower collision frequency Highway 29 south due to permanent road • Provide a shuttle service between Chetwynd and the dam site, based on demand. Work with upgrades on some routes the District of Chetwynd to identify suitable parking locations for workers using shuttles jackfish lake road • Provide a shuttle service between Chetwynd and the Project site, based on demand • Equip Project vehicles travelling on the Project access road with radios • Control access to the Project access road at the north end of Jackfish Lake Road • Strengthen the road base and hardsurface 31 km of Jackfish Lake Road, widening where required • Examine the feasibility of widening the shoulders along the first 30 km of Jackfish Lake Road to meet current B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure rural collector standards, potentially including two 1.5 m wide paved shoulders north bank roads • Implement a carpool program • Use a conveyor belt to transport materials from 85th Avenue Industrial Lands to dam site to avoid truck trips • Hard-surface 240 Road and the portion of 269 Road south of the intersection with 240 Road • Realign a portion of Old Fort Road south of 240 Road • Potentially widen shoulders or add a path on Old Fort Road between Highway 97 and the realigned segment, and between the end of the realigned segment and the gravel pit entrance at km 5.5 • Widen shoulders or add a path on 271 Road between the Wuthrich Quarry and Highway 97 • Conduct intersection lighting calculations to determine if illumination is warranted and then, in collaboration with the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, consider installing intersection lighting Potentially higher accident Highway 97 North – Taylor Bridge and approaches rate due to poor visibility • Monitor Taylor Bridge and low-lying approaches for changes in fog hours or density during caused by fog during the early years of Project operations. If required, implement mitigation measures to reduce operations driver speed and fog-related collisions, and to maintain overall road safety by considering Improved road safety the following: on some routes due to • Illumination on Taylor Bridge and bridge approaches permanent road upgrades • Changeable message signs which are visible in dense fog • Radio broadcasts and other forms of public communication
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 79 Transportation
Monitoring Key Findings: Transportation Monitoring will be undertaken at several During construction, several routes would locations to determine if additional traffic experience increases in traffic volumes and management measures would be required, delays, resulting in an adverse effect on including: transportation. However, road safety levels • The intersection of Highway 29 and within the Local Assessment Area would be Canyon Drive, to confirm any traffic delays within the normal variability of annual collision resulting from construction. Potential frequency. On some routes (Highway 29 mitigation could include construction of a North and Old Fort Road), implementation of dedicated left-hand turn slot, or changing mitigation measures and construction of road intersection priority by revising pavement improvements are expected to improve road markings and signing safety in the long term. No expected adverse effects are associated with rail use or use of • The signalized intersection of Highway 29 the North Peace Regional Airport. South and Highway 97 South in Chetwynd, to determine if traffic signal timing Long term benefits from road and highway adjustments could reduce overall infrastructure improvements will be accrued as intersection delay during construction part of the Project. Adverse effects associated with traffic delay and road safety would be • Highway 97 signalized intersections in confined to the period of construction and Fort St. John, to investigate the benefit mitigation measures would be applied to of adjusting traffic signal timings to reduce the effects. For these reasons, adverse reduce overall intersection delay during residual effects on transportation are not construction. considered significant. • Local commuter road usage, to determine if local road use restrictions should be implemented, for example on Project traffic using 269 Road between 240 Road and Highway 97 • Taylor Bridge and low-lying approaches for fog conditions
80 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 Heritage Resources
Palaeontological, archaeological, and Assessment Area historical sites, objects, and features are the The Local Assessment Area and Regional key indicators that comprise the Heritage Assessment Area for the heritage resources Resources valued component for the Project. assessment are defined as the Project activity These key indicators contain physical evidence zone. Given the site-specific and stationary of ancient flora and fauna or cultural materials nature of heritage resources, this is the including, but not limited to, remains of maximum area where potential direct and ancient campsites, subsistence procurement indirect Project effects on heritage resources sites, historic structures, and locations are reasonably expected to occur. containing burials. Baseline Conditions Scope of Effects Assessment Baseline conditions for each of the key The heritage assessment considers: indicators are described using information • Disturbance to heritage sites and features collected from: from Project-induced disturbance of • Literature reviews, including palaeontological, archaeological and palaeontological resources, archaeological historical sites and features resources, and historical resources • Disturbance to elements essential to • An extensive, multi-year field inventory the heritage character of features from and survey Project-induced changes to context of palaeontological, archaeological and • Consultation between BC Hydro and historical sites and features Aboriginal groups • Disturbance to artifacts, features, human remains, and fossils from Project-induced disturbance of fossils and trace fossils, archaeological features and artifacts, and burials • Hindrance or increase in access to sites and destroying contextual information from changes in level of accessibility to palaeontological, archaeological and historical sites • Other relevant issues raised by Aboriginal groups in relation to changes to palaeontological, archaeological and historical sites
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 81 Heritage Resources
Summary of Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures
Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures
Changes to resource Construction Phase: integrity: Depending on the nature and importance of identified heritage • Surface disturbance resources, various mitigation measures will be used: • Disturbance of structures • Avoid sites and reduce resource damage where possible • Subsurface disturbance • Manage any found burials following provincial guidelines • Compaction • Conduct additional reconnaissance and field surveys as warranted • Document historical sites and relocate important structures, • Erosion if found • Recover heritage resources: staged scientific excavations, Changes to resource stratified sample excavations, systematic surface collection accessibility: • Commemorate heritage resources as appropriate • Increased access • Provide funds to local museums to support heritage programming • Unauthorized collection • Implement a Heritage Resources Management Plan, Chance Find • Lack of access Procedure, and Construction Monitoring Operations Phase:
Other relevant considerations • Conduct reconnaissance and systematic surface collection of raised by Aboriginal groups exposed resources) or installation of protective measures • Implement a Heritage Resources Management Plan, Chance Find Procedure and reservoir erosion monitoring
Monitoring Key Findings: Heritage Resources Consistent with BC Hydro’s existing heritage A Heritage Resources Management Plan reservoir monitoring program, shoreline would be implemented to address heritage erosion of heritage resources within the site stewardship and protection relative to reservoir would be monitored for a period of Project construction activities. The plan would no less than the first five years of operation. include procedures for monitoring at known Predicted rates of sedimentation and erosion heritage site locations within the Project affecting shoreline heritage resources would activity zone, as well as chance find procedures be confirmed through shoreline monitoring. to be implemented in the event that heritage In the event that low reservoir levels occur in resources are encountered during construction. the future and exposed heritage site locations The Heritage Resources Management Plan can be safely accessed, emergency salvage would be developed with guidance, where and systematic data collection of exposed applicable, from the B.C. Archaeology Branch, resources would help to mitigate the potential the Fossil Management Framework, the Fossil effects of erosion and unauthorized collection Management Review Technical Working Group, of heritage materials. existing BC Hydro policies and procedures, and in consultation with Aboriginal groups. Mitigation measures for heritage resources are expected to reduce potential effects, however, Project-related residual adverse effects may occur due to Project-induced disturbance.
82 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 Human Health
The potential for human health effects as a Baseline Conditions result of the Project may be associated with The methods for compiling the baseline and changes in air quality, water quality, noise and undertaking the human health assessment vibration, electric and magnetic fields, and draw upon the following information sources: methylmercury levels in fish. • Baseline and modelling results from Scope of the Effects Assessment the water quality, air quality, noise and The Human Health assessment considers: vibration, EMF technical studies, and the mercury human health risk assessment • Changes in potable and recreational water quality • Objectives, standards, and guidelines for air quality, water quality, noise and • Changes in ambient air quality vibration, EMF, and methylmercury • Change in noise and vibration • Health Canada guidance documents • Change in electric and magnetic fields • Information on recreation anglers and (EMF) First Nations fish catch, retention and • Change in country foods, methylmercury consumption in fish • Interviews with Health Canada and Assessment Area Northern Health The Local Assessment Area for each human health aspect was based on the technical study area boundaries for air quality, noise, water quality, and EMF studies, the mercury human health risk assessment, and specific locations of human use.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013 83 Human Health
Summary of Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures
Potential Effects Key Mitigation Measures Change in ambient air • Implement Air Quality Management Plan quality • Utilize filters to contain particulate matter at concrete batch plants (construction) and crushers, and silos for fly ash cement and aggregate at concrete batch plants • Retain vegetation barriers where practical • Minimize burning of wood waste and follow B.C. Ministry of Environment Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation • Locate workforce camps outside the area of potential air quality exceedance • Conduct detailed modelling at dam site once the exact locations of emission sources are better defined. Modelling results will be used to determine where to place particulate matter monitors on the north and south bank • Monitor air quality associated with construction of Hudson’s Hope Shoreline Protection; implement mitigation measures as required • Conduct further screening modelling at residences located 1.5 km from West Pine Quarry to identify potential exceedances at this site; and implement of air quality management plan at this site; as required Change in noise and • Provide temporary noise barriers between work sites and receptors, vibration use portable enclosures/barriers (construction) • Implement notification of work program for residents • Develop and implement Noise and Vibration Management Plans for work sites, monitor noise levels at work sites and implement adaptive management measures as required • Construct perimeter fencing • Retain or plant tree screens • Build berms and acoustic barriers • Enclose elements of conveyor belt system • Develop and implement noise monitoring and adaptive management as required Develop and implement the following Environmental Change in potable and Management Plans: recreational water quality • Spill Prevention and Emergency Response Plan (construction and • Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Plan operations) • Groundwater Protection Plan Country foods: • Monitor methylmercury concentrations in fish to identify changes methylmercury in fish • Provide the public with information about safe fish consumption levels (operations)
Key Findings: Human Health Development and implementation of environmental management plans and monitoring programs are expected to mitigate potential effects on Human Health. No residual effects are anticipated.
84 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PART 2 – JANUARY 2013
For further information: Site C Clean Energy Project www.bchydro.com/sitec
Mailing Address: Community Consultation Office: PO Box 2218 9948 100th Avenue Vancouver BC V6B 3W2 Fort St. John BC V1J 1Y5 Toll-free: 1 877 217 0777 Tel: 250 785 3420 Email: [email protected] Fax: 250 785 3570 Fax: 604 623 4332